White-backed Mousebird

Colius colius (Linnaeus, 1766)

White-backed Mousebird, Colius colius, is a mousebird of southern Africa, breeding in Namibia, southern Botswana and South Africa. It is found in western and central parts of the region, and uses dry, scrubby country including thornveld, fynbos scrub and semi-desert. Its most useful mark is the pale stripe on the back, set between two broad black bands, though this is only seen when the wings are partly open. The bird also has a grey head and upper body, a buff belly, a bluish white bill with a black tip, and red legs and feet.

Order

Coliiformes

Family

Coliidae — Mousebirds

Breeding range

Africa: Namibia to s Botswana and South Africa