About the White-backed Mousebird
The white-backed mousebird is a large species of mousebird. It is distributed in western and central regions of southern Africa from Namibia and southern Botswana eastwards to Central Transvaal and the eastern Cape.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
This bird is about 34 cm (13.5 in) long, with the tail comprising approximately half the length, and weighs 38–64 g (1.3–2.3 oz). The upper parts, head, prominent crest and breast are grey apart from a white back stripe flanked by two broad black stripes and a dark red, or maroon, transverse band at the base of the tail. The white is not visible unless the wings are at least partly open, such as when the birds are alighting, or sometimes in hot weather. The belly is buff in colour. The bill is bluish white with a black tip, and the legs and feet are red.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the White-backed Mousebird lives
When to see the White-backed Mousebird
Peak activity in September · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
White-headed MousebirdColius leucocephalusThe white-headed mousebird is a bird belonging to the mousebird family, Coliidae.
Red-backed MousebirdColius castanotusIts average size ranges from 11 to 15 inches and it weighs around 1 to 3 ounces.
Speckled MousebirdColius striatusThe speckled mousebird is about 35 cm (14 in) long, with the tail comprising approximately half the length, and weighs about 57 g (2.0 oz).
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