The Blue-naped Mousebird, Urocolius macrourus, is a bird found in the drier parts of eastern Africa. It has also been known as the "Blue-naped Coly" under binomial Colius macrourus.

Physical characteristics

A slender-tailed, ash grey mousebird

Mousebird

The mousebirds are a small group of birds which have no known close affinities to other groups, though they and the parrots and cockatoos may be closer to each other than to other birds. The mousebirds are therefore given order status as Coliiformes...

common in dry country. A crested head, turquoise-blue nape patch and black-and-red bill characterize adults. Juveniles lack blue on nape, have pink facial skin and greenish bills.

Call

Its call is a plaintive far-carrying whistle, peeeeeee, peeeeeeeeee; also shorter calls of some quality, pyee, pyee, pyee...or pew t'lew, repeated.

External links

• Blue-naped Mousebird videos, photos & sounds on the Internet Bird Collection
• Another picture and some description