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Speckled Mousebird

Colius striatus

Photo by Jinki Afrika
Published on Project Noah
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-3.37232, 36.8579

Field Notes

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.

Species ID Suggestions

Speckled Mousebird

Colius striatus

Comments (7)

Thanks, Seema and Arun, for the nice words. Thanks, Sydes, for the more specific ID.
lovely spotting ...
@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.
@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.
In Yucatán is the oriole who likes papaya, there are wild papayas here and orioles are the ones who spread the seeds.

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