Dave Taylor's African Safari: Trophic Level II - The Herbivores - Speckled Mousebird

Dave Taylor's African Safari: Trophic Level II - The Herbivores - Speckled Mousebird - Page 12

Trophic Level II - The Herbivores
Speckled Mousebird
Page 12

Colius striatus

Length: 35 cm (14")

Habitat: Speckled mousebirds are found up to 2 800 meters (9,200’) altitude. They like open forests, glades and grasslands.

Food: Speckled mousebirds eat fruit, berries, leaves and flowers.

Behavior: Mousebirds are very social birds and are usually seen in flocks of between five and seven birds. In areas where there are distinct wet and dry seasons, such as the Serengeti-Mara, they usually start breeding during the rainy season. They have a strong pair bond. The male starts to court the female by hopping in the same place for several minutes. They do not sing but they do make low throaty clicking sounds to attract the female. Flock members cross open areas one at a time

Nests are simple, shallow, bowl-shaped constructions. They are made of twigs, grass and leaves and are usually found in thick, low bushes. The male brings the female the material and she arranges it. Often a nest will be built near the nest of a dangerous species of wasp (Belonogaster rufipennis). It is believed that the presence of these wasps benefits the mousebirds by helping to keep away snakes and other predators. The wasps do not bother the mousebirds.

Both sexes incubate the eggs. Incubation starts the day the first egg is laid. They lay one egg a day (sometimes there will be two days between laying). Normally, three eggs are eventually laid but the female begins incubating the day the first one is laid. As a result, the young do not hatch on the same day. Mousebirds fledge around the age of three weeks. They are noticeably smaller than the adults and lack their long tail. They stay with their parents and are fed by them until they are four to six weeks old. They are full grown at two months.

Predators: Small carnivores, birds of prey and snakes all catch and eat this species.

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