Speckled mousebird

Their dull mousy-brown color justifies the name pretty well

Jerry Friedman

Though mousebirds are fairly small-bodied Aves, the Speckled mousebird, the largest species from the family, can grow as large as 35 cm (14 inches) long. If one inspects closely, one sees how a characteristic thin tail covers more than half that length. Those wondering where to spot these Savannah-loving birds should set up backyard gardens because, luckily, the Speckled mousebird often treads in urban areas.

Just don’t expect any soulful songs coming in through the windows, as these noisy birds aren’t quite well-known for their warbling voice. Not just that, the Speckled mousebird dwells in large social groups almost at all times, be it fruit-picking for lunch or their dust bathing traditions. Yes, they reach down to dusty grounds in groups, swallowing pebbles that eventually help digest the food. At least somebody is not getting scolded for gobbling up stones!

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Angola
2016
Botswana
2016
Burundi
2016
Cameroon
2016
Central Af. Rep.
2016
Congo-Brazzaville
2016
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
2016
Equatorial Guinea
2016
Eritrea
2016
Eswatini
2016
Ethiopia
2016
Gabon
2016
Ghana
2016
Kenya
2016
Lesotho
2016
Malawi
2016
Mozambique
2016
Nigeria
2016
Rwanda
2016
Somalia
2016
South Africa
2016
South Sudan
2016
Sudan
2016
Tanzania
2016
Uganda
2016
Zambia
2016
Zimbabwe
2016

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Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic / Monomorphic (size)

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd / Flock

Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No