The Speckled mousebird is approximately 35 cm (14 inches) long, with the tail comprising approximately half the length, and weighs about 57 grams (2 oz). It is well-named, because it is dull-mousy brown in overall color on the back and on the head (including a prominent crest). The bill is black on the upper part and is a pinkish color on the lower part.
It is distributed from Cameroon east to Eritrea and Ethiopia, south through eastern Africa to southern South Africa. Most habitats are suitable for this species, except the rainforests and more arid areas. This mousebird prefers open bushveld habitats. It is widespread in savanna and open woodlands, as well as areas with tangled thickets. It is a common "backyard bird," often seen in urban areas that contain gardens and orchards.
The speckled mousebird is a frugivore which subsists on fruits, berries, seeds, leaves and nectar, and is fairly strict in its choice of food from area to area.
These are conspicuously social birds, feeding together and engaging in mutual preening. They also accompany each other when they go to ground to dust bathe (also to occasionally to swallow pebbles to assist in grinding up vegetation as they digest it). Upon nightfall, they roost in very tight groups of 20 or so birds and on cold nights they can become torpid. Being in a torpid state could make them easy prey, but the large groups are apparently effective enough to deter most nocturnal predators
I'm linking my post to Wild Bird Wednesday here
HAPPY WEDNESDAY TO YOU ALL!
I love your photos of this interesting bird. The first photo it seems the bird is doing acrobatics on the bar ;-) Enjoy the rest of your week Jo!
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen this bird with its long tail before. Eye catching!
ReplyDeleteAh, one of the birds I miss in Europe, I used to love watching the antics of the mouse birds in our garden. Diane
ReplyDeleteHello Jo, you see some awesome birds in South Africa. This Mousebird has a weird name, I like it's crest and the long tail. Great photos. Happy Wednesday, enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteawesome shot of this exotic and beautiful bird
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of a very interesting bird!
ReplyDeleteHi Jo, it looks quite a comical on the wire fence, as hay look what I can do.
ReplyDeleteAll the best, Gordon.
What an interesting looking bird, I enjoyed your description of him, a very smart bird indeed. Lovely photos Jo.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your day!
I sort of remembered that bird. And then when I read your account of where it occurs, it came back to me. Kenya.
ReplyDeleteI sort of remembered that bird. And then when I read your account of where it occurs, it came back to me. Kenya.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating bird!
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