How do you identify a Red-backed Mousebird?

Its average size ranges from 11 to 15 inches and it weighs around 1 to 3 ounces. Full identification notes are on this page.

How big is a Red-backed Mousebird?

The Red-backed Mousebird is a small sized bird weighing about 57 g.

Where can you see a Red-backed Mousebird?

The Red-backed Mousebird is endemic to Angola, which is the only country where it occurs.

What birds look similar to a Red-backed Mousebird?

The Red-backed Mousebird is most easily confused with the White-headed Mousebird, the White-backed Mousebird and the Speckled Mousebird.

Is the Red-backed Mousebird endangered?

The Red-backed Mousebird is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Red-backed Mousebird

Colius castanotus

Mousebirds · Coliiformes · Legendary

The Red-backed Mousebird (Colius castanotus) is a legendary mousebird found only in Angola, weighing about 57 g. The red-backed mousebird is a species of bird in the Coliidae family.

Least ConcernLegendaryEndemicEats fruitwoodlandcup nest57 g

Red-backed Mousebird (Colius castanotus), photo 1 — Photo: desertnaturalist · http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Red-backed Mousebird (Colius castanotus), photo 2 — Photo: keesgroenendijk · http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Red-backed Mousebird (Colius castanotus), photo 3 — Photo: desertnaturalist · CC BY 4.0

Red-backed Mousebird (Colius castanotus), photo 4 — Photo: (c) desertnaturalist, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY

Red-backed Mousebird (Colius castanotus), photo 5 — Photo: (c) keesgroenendijk, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY

About the Red-backed Mousebird

The red-backed mousebird is a species of bird in the Coliidae family. It is found in Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The name mousebird is based on bird's soft feathers with texture similar to a mouse's fur. The red-backed mousebird got its name from the red or chestnut color patch on its back.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

How to identify it

Its average size ranges from 11 to 15 inches and it weighs around 1 to 3 ounces. Like other mousebirds, Colius castanotus possesses feathers that resembles the soft fur of a mouse, but it is notable for its red or chestnut patch on it back. The red-backed mousebird is not adapted for long-distance flights. The wings of the mousebird are described as short and rounded. The longevity of the red-backed mouse is 10 to 12 years.

Where it lives

Angola

When to see it

Best months: January, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, with peak activity in September. It is a variable species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a Red-backed Mousebird?: Its average size ranges from 11 to 15 inches and it weighs around 1 to 3 ounces. Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is a Red-backed Mousebird?: The Red-backed Mousebird is a small sized bird weighing about 57 g.
Where can you see a Red-backed Mousebird?: The Red-backed Mousebird is endemic to Angola, which is the only country where it occurs.
What birds look similar to a Red-backed Mousebird?: The Red-backed Mousebird is most easily confused with the White-headed Mousebird, the White-backed Mousebird and the Speckled Mousebird.
Is the Red-backed Mousebird endangered?: The Red-backed Mousebird is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Red-backed Mousebird for real

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