Red-faced Mousebird
Urocolius indicus
Thornveld and suburbia. Light brown above; wings and tail darker; rump and underparts grey-white; eyes blue; bill black; mask and legs red.
Mousebirds
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Common resident. Identified by red mask. The call is a diagnostic descending whistle ‘tree-ree-ree’, frequently repeated and uttered in flight and at rest. Flocks, which fly in compact groups, occur in thornveld, riverine forests and especially suburbia, favouring the moister regions.
Quick Facts
Size
32-34 cm - M
Names
A: Rooiwangmuisvoël
Z: umTshivovo
Ss: Letsiababa
G: Rotzügel-Mausvogel
Bird Family
Fruit-eating birds with crested heads, soft, hair-like plumage and long, stiff tails. They usually occur in parties of about a dozen birds that maintain contact by call. When feeding they clamber about, mouse-like, in bushes. Immatures resemble adults, but are duller and shorter-tailed.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Flocks, which fly in compact groups, occur in thornveld, riverine 'forest's and especially suburbia, favouring the moister regions.
