Animalia Life

Colius colius
TAXONOMY
Loxia colius Linnaeus, 1766, Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. Two subspecies.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
French: Coliou а dos blanc; German: WeiЯrьcken-Mausvogel; Spanish: Pбjaro-ratуn Dorsiblanco.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
11.4–13.0 in (29–33 cm); weight 1.3–2.3 oz (38–64 g). Has characteristic white back and dark red spot at the base of the tail; otherwise solid gray upperparts; buff underparts. Bill is bluish white with black tip. Legs and feet are coral-red.
DISTRIBUTION
Namibia, southern Botswana, and southern Africa eastwards to Central Transvaal and eastern Cape.
HABITAT
Woodland areas, riverine growth, and cultivated areas.
BEHAVIOR
Live in family groups, sedentary.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Mostly fruits, some green matter, and nectar.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Breed throughout the year when conditions are favorable.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened, even spreading into cultivated areas.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Mostly none, but sometimes considered a pest.

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