The Speckled Mousebird (Colius striatus) is the largest
species of Mousebird. It is a fairly common bird and I found these ones in my daughter's garden.
This bird is about 14 inches long, with the
tail comprising approximately half the length, and weighs about 2
oz. It is well-named, because it is dull-mousy brown in overall colour on the
back and on the head (including a prominent crest). The bill is black on the
upper part and is a pinkish colour on the lower part.
These creatures may breed at any time of the year. The nest is a large (for the bird) and untidy cup made of vegetable and animal material (sometimes including cloth and paper) and is constructed by both the male and female. Clutch size ranges from one to seven eggs (apparently based on latitude), but usually averages 3–4.
Nestlings are fed by both parents and also by helpers,
which usually are juveniles from previous clutches. The incubation period is
fourteen days and the offspring will leave the nest for the first time at about
seventeen or eighteen days. After a little over a month, the nestlings will
begin foraging for themselves.
Tomorrow I will show you another animal that I saw at the Game Haven Park in Malawi. I am linking this post with WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY
Thank you for visiting.
Many thanks for commenting .
What a cool bird!
ReplyDeleteThey look very much like our cardinals here, except they are not red. So do they eat mice?
ReplyDeleteThey are wonderful birds but within an inch of a crop to being pixelated. Still worth posting.
ReplyDeleteCool bird, Margaret. Is that a long tail I see. Great sighting and wonderful you did not have to go far to see it. Thanks for sharing, have a happy week!
ReplyDeleteoh, they're adorable!
ReplyDeleteI love the tuft on their heads. Beautiful birds.
ReplyDeleteHi Margaret, I learned all about the Speckled Mousebird here on your post! Thanks. Did you by any chance, see Blue-naped Mousebirds. They have red faces and are lighter than the Speckled Mousebird. Hope you're enjoying a great day. Jo
ReplyDeleteMouse color, yes ... but it ends there. They are far more interesting and beautiful in their own way than the lowly little mouse. I will say though, that with the incubation times and the year round breeding ... they probably procreate at the same rate as mice which is why they are so common. Very interesting, Margaret ...
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From The Sol
Oh my goodness these are just lovely! Thanks for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteWow - what lovely birds!
ReplyDeleteSo nice to learn about these birds, Margaret.
Thanks for sharing.
Peace :)
These are lovely to see Margaret... and a new bird to me.
ReplyDeleteAnother new bird to see, lovely shots!
ReplyDeleteLovely birds to see.
ReplyDeleteThese are funny birds, they climb like mouses.
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous balls of fluff!
ReplyDeleteThey are big birds! Interesting to see Margaret. I like their crests.
ReplyDeleteWhat brilliant looking birds.
ReplyDeleteInteresting birds, Margaret.
ReplyDeleteA charming bird; IMHO the name does not do it justice!
ReplyDeleteSuch cute little birds. I love the crest.
ReplyDeletelove the creast they have.
ReplyDeletevery cool birds..they seem to have an excess of feathers!!
ReplyDeleteGreat images of this amazing bird, Margaret. Malawi seems like a very interesting place to visit!
ReplyDelete