White-backed mousebird

Colius colius

TAXONOMY

Loxia colius Linnaeus, 1766, Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. Two subspecies.

OTHER COMMON NAMES

French: Coliou à dos blanc; German: Weißrücken-Mausvogel; Spanish: Pájaro-ratón Dorsiblanco.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

11.4–13.0 in (29–33 cm); weight 1.3–2.3 oz (38–64 g). Has characteristic white back and dark red spot at the base of the tail; otherwise solid gray upperparts; buff underparts. Bill is bluish white with black tip. Legs and feet are coral-red.

DISTRIBUTION

Namibia, southern Botswana, and southern Africa eastwards to Central Transvaal and eastern Cape.

HABITAT

Woodland areas, riverine growth, and cultivated areas.

BEHAVIOR

Live in family groups, sedentary.

FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET

Mostly fruits, some green matter, and nectar.

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

Breed throughout the year when conditions are favorable.

CONSERVATION STATUS

Not threatened, even spreading into cultivated areas.

SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS

Mostly none, but sometimes considered a pest.