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Speckled Mousebird

Colius striatus

Description:

This bird is about 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. The Speckled Mousebird is not known for its voice, as songbirds are, although it is a noisy creature. They make a warbling tsu-tsu call while in flight, and are known for their tisk-tisk alarm call while in flight. - Wikipedia

Notes:

We always leave a few papaya fruits in our backyard for the mousebirds to eat.

1 Species ID Suggestions

C.Sydes
C.Sydes 11 years ago
Speckled Mousebird
Colius striatus


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7 Comments

Jinki Afrika
Jinki Afrika 11 years ago

Thanks, Seema and Arun, for the nice words.
Thanks, Sydes, for the more specific ID.

Seema
Seema 11 years ago

great picture

Arun
Arun 12 years ago

lovely spotting ...

Jinki Afrika
Jinki Afrika 12 years ago

@Jorge: Wow, you're lucky to see orioles feeding on papaya fruits. We also have orioles in our backyard but they're very shy and elusive. I would love to see orioles eating our papaya fruit for a change just like in Yucatan.

Jinki Afrika
Jinki Afrika 12 years ago

@Alice: Thanks! By the way, the baby barbets I rescued are holding on but they have not opened their eyes yet. I followed the suggestions on the link you sent me but no parent claimed them so I guess I'm now responsible for these orphans. It's their 5th day with me and I hope they'll survive.

Jorge4
Jorge4 12 years ago

In Yucatán is the oriole who likes papaya, there are wild papayas here and orioles are the ones who spread the seeds.

alicelongmartin
alicelongmartin 12 years ago

Such long tails! Nice series!

Jinki Afrika
Spotted by
Jinki Afrika

Arusha, Tanzania

Spotted on Mar 18, 2012
Submitted on Mar 18, 2012

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Reference

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