In the field, mousebirds are fascinating and entertaining
birds to observe, and the more so when we consider that these enigmatic African
birds are the sole survivors of a diverse and puzzling lineage.
Mousebird, common name for a family of small birds found
only in Africa. The mousebird lives in open woodland and bushy country south of
the Sahara.
Mousebirds (order Coliiformes) are one of those puzzling birds
for birders in the field. They do not look or act much like any other birds. The
mousebirds are a small group of (possibly near passerine) birds, which have no
known close affinities to other groups, though might be close to trogons and
owls.
They are arboreal and scurry through the leaves much like rodents,
in search of berries, fruit and buds. This habit, and their legs, gives rise to
the group's English name “mousebirds”. It is a ground bird capable of moving
quickly through thick foliage or along the ground by running or hopping.
Mousebirds are social fruit-eaters that acrobatically dangle
precariously at odd angles in tight clumps, feet spread wide and long tails
often splayed. The six living species are all found in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Speckled Mousebird (Colius striatus) is the largest
species of mousebird, as well as one of the most common.
In early morning and
late afternoon they are often to be found sunning themselves, sitting with
their legs well apart and bellies exposed to the sun.
Interested in Birding in East Africa - Contact the experts www.premiersafaris.com
Photos by C.T Schalkwyk as part of a Premier Safaris Birding Trip in Kenya
Accommodation at the Aberdares country club and "the Ark" - www.marasa.net or contact Premier Safaris at reservations@premiersafaris.com for full package tours to Kenya or Uganda.
