Speckled Mousebird

Afrikaans name: Gevlekte muisvoël

Speckled Mousebird

Photo © Steven Herbert

Colius striatus

The Speckled Mousebird is common in South Africa as well as many other parts of Africa.

The tail of the mousebird makes up for more than half of its 35 cm length. Male and female both have the same brown and buffy plumage.

The Speckled Mousebird is found in a variety of habitats including gardens (particularly those with fruit trees!). Their main foods eaten are fruit, berries, nectar and seeds.

Like other species of Mousebirds these normally are seen in flocks. They can be seen flying from bush to bush one bird at a time in a sort of "follow my leader" fashion.

Both male and female make the cup-shaped nest in a suitable bush or tree. Around 3 or 4 eggs are laid. Both sexes feed the chicks.

Find out more about mousebirds.

References and further reading

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 169

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 95

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 95

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 89

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 157

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 124

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 53

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 131

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 74

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 140

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 38

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 16

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 120

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 181

Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 81

Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: P. Ginn & G. McIlleron - Published: 1981 - Page: 30

Geoff Lockwoods Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Published: 0 - Page: 48

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 174

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 411

Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 63

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 244

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 244

Newmans Garden Birds - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1991 - Page: 50

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 207

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 266

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 279

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 369

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 365

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 246

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 254

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 42

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 168

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 159

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 47

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 118

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 54

BirdLife South Africa

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