White-headed Mousebird
NameWhite-headed Mousebird
Common NameWhite-headed Mousebird
Scientific NameColius leucocephalus
FamilyColiidae
Wingspan (cm)28
Length (cm)30
Weight (g)38
Plumage DetailsThis species has a predominantly grey-brown body with a striking white crest on its head. The face features a dark eye-mask, and the breast and flanks are finely barred grey, contrasting with a buffy belly. The very long tail is grey.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations consist of soft, chattering contact calls, often described as 'tsik-tsik' or 'tsee-tsee' notes, used to maintain cohesion within flocks.
Primary Dietfrugivore
Primary Habitatsforest, grassland, urban
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in East Africa, specifically in southern Somalia, eastern Kenya, and northeastern Tanzania, inhabiting dry bushland, acacia scrub, riverine thickets, and gardens.
Identifying Featureswhite crest, long grey tail, dark face mask, finely barred breast
Description
The White-headed Mousebird is a small, slender bird characterized by its distinctive white crest and extremely long, graduated tail. It is typically found in small, active flocks, foraging for fruits and other plant matter in dense vegetation.
