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

Wildlife 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

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 47

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 159

The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 51

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 42

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 149

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 169

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 254

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 371

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 South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 208

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 267

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 280

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 58

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 244

Newmans Garden Birds - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1991 - Page: 52

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 411

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 244

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 174

Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 80

Geoff Lockwoods Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Published: 0 - Page: 50

Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: P. Ginn & G. McIlleron - Published: 1981 - Page: 30

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

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 38

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 16

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 141

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 132

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 74

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 124

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 54

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 157

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 89

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 95

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

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds