Explore the Heart of South Africa: Nature, Culture, Adventure
Red-faced Mousebird
Afrikaans name: Rooiwangmuisvoël
Photo © Gerrit de Vries - Fotolia.com
Urocolius indicus
The Red-faced Mousebird is one of three Mousebirds that occur in South Africa. The other two are the Speckled and White-backed Mousebird.
It can be found in suitable habitat over virtually the whole of South Africa. They prefer areas of savanna, woodland, parks, gardens and other areas that are not too arid.
Red-faced Mousebirds love fruit which forms the bulk of their diet. They also eat some nectar, flowers and other bits of vegetation.
An interesting difference between Red-faced and Speckled Mousebirds is how their flocks move around. Speckled Mousebirds tend to move from tree to tree one at a time whereas the Red-faced Mousebird all fly together in a group.
These birds build their nests in a tree or shrub. Up to 7 eggs may be laid. Both parents look after the chicks.
Find out more about mousebirds.
Roberts Birds Names by Edition
| Edition | Roberts nr | Scientific name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 392 | Urocolius indicus indicus |
| 2nd | 392 | Urocolius indicus |
| 3rd | 392 | Urocolius indicus |
| 4th | 392 | Urocolius indicus |
| 5th | 426 | Colius indicus |
| 6th | 426 | Urocolius indicus |
| 7th | 111 | Urocolius indicus |
| Edition | Roberts nr | English name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 392 | Red-faced Coly |
| 2nd | 392 | Red-faced Mousebird |
| 3rd | 392 | Red-faced Mousebird |
| 4th | 392 | Red-faced Mousebird |
| 5th | 426 | Redfaced Mousebird |
| 6th | 426 | Redfaced Mousebird |
| 7th | 111 | Red-faced Mousebird |
| Edition | Roberts nr | Afrikaans name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 392 | Rooiwang-muisvoël |
| 2nd | 392 | Rooiwang-muisvoël |
| 3rd | 392 | Rooiwang-muisvoël |
| 4th | 392 | Rooiwang-muisvoël |
| 5th | 426 | Rooiwangmuisvoël |
| 6th | 426 | Rooiwangmuisvoël |
| 7th | 111 | Rooiwangmuisvoël |
References and further reading
Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 47Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 118
Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 54
The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 51
Southern African Wildlife - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 169
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 159
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 42
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 149
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 254
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 367
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 246
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 371
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 280
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 267
Newman s Garden Birds - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1991 - Page: 52
Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 58
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 208
Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 244
Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 244
Ian Sinclair s Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 174
Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 411
Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 80
Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: P. Ginn & G. McIlleron - Published: 1981 - Page: 30
Geoff Lockwood s Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Published: 0 - Page: 50
Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 154
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 120
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 141
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 38
Everyone s Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 16
Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 74
Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 54
Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 132
Birds of Africa south of the Sahara - Author: Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan - Published: 2003 - Page: 264
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 124
Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 89
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 157
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 95
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 168
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 95
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