Speckled Mousebird

The Speckled Mousebird is a member of the small, distinctive mousebird family (Coliidae), found only in Africa. Its name comes from its habit of creeping through dense vegetation with a mouse-like scurrying gait.

Appearance

• Soft grey-brown plumage, finely speckled or barred on the head and neck
• A shaggy crest on the crown
• A very long, thin tail, roughly twice the length of the body
• Short legs and a stubby, dark bill

Key field marks

• Long, thin tail and shaggy crest
• Grey-brown body with fine speckling on the neck and head
• Feet with all four toes able to point forward, aiding climbing

Similar species

The Red-faced Mousebird has plain, unspeckled grey plumage and bright red bare skin around the eyes. The White-backed Mousebird shows a pale patch on the lower back. The Speckled Mousebird is told apart by its finely speckled neck and lack of red facial skin.

Range

Widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, occurring from eastern to southern Africa.

Habitat

Favors woodland edges, thickets, scrub, and gardens with dense cover for shelter.

Movement

Resident and non-migratory throughout its range.

Behavior

Highly social, moving in tight flocks of half a dozen to twenty birds that clamber acrobatically through branches; flocks huddle together closely at night to conserve warmth.

Voice

Gives soft twittering notes and sharp "chizik" contact calls to keep the flock together.

Feeding

Feeds mainly on fruit, berries, leaves, and buds, often hanging in unusual postures to reach food.

Nesting and breeding

Builds a cup-shaped nest hidden in dense foliage; cooperative breeding with helpers assisting the breeding pair has been recorded in some populations.