Number of genera: 2
Number of species: 6
Number of species completed: 4
In French: page des colious en Français
This small family exist only in Africa, south of the Sahara. The family is widespread, and all species are, at least, locally common. None is threatened.
The family is alone in the order Coliiformes, and it has been difficult to find to which other orders it is related. Genetics place it as basal in super-order Afroaves, that groups several different orders such Trogoniformes (trogons), Piciformes (woodpeckers), Bucerotiformes (hornbills, hoopoes) and others.
Genus Colius – 4 species
Those 4 species have similar shape but are genetically well distinct with no hybrid known. The widespread Speckled Mousebird is sympatric with 2 other species without territorial interaction. All are very distinct from the only other genera of the family.
Red-backed Mousebird is currently endemic to Angola, but it is common and even expanding (it might reach soon D. R. Congo) as it is well adapted to degraded habitats.
* Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus, large photo on top
* White-headed Mousebird Colius leucocephalus, photo on the very top
Red-backed Mousebird Colius castanotus – ON REQUEST, ENDEMIC (Angola)
White-backed Mousebird Colius colius – NA, photo above
Scroll down to the bottom to see a comparative image of Speckled and White-headed Mousebirds
Genus Urocolius – 2 species
They are fairly distant from Colius, and the classification shown here is widely accepted.
Those two closely related species are replacing each others, covering together most of Africa, away from the forest zone of central and Western Africa. Therefore, they can be grouped in one superspecies. They can be very common or even abundant.
* Blue-naped Mousebird Urocolius macrourus, photo above
* Red-faced Mousebird Urocolius indicus
This photo compares White-headed Mousebird (on the left) with Speckled Mousebird (on the right) that live sympatrically in Eastern Africa. Both can be similar with pale crest and cheeks contrasting with blackish face. Best difference is shown with the orange arrow: White-headed Mousebird is strongly barred on mantle, and the pattern is extending onto the wing coverts. Speckled Mousebird is not, or only very finely, barred on mantle and wing coverts are plain.
Holistic Birding 