The speckled mousebird (Colius striatus) name refers to the fine barring or streaking on its feathers, particularly on the breast, which can be visible at close range. The mousebird epithet is due to its habit of scurrying through the undergrowth. The largest species of mousebird, this African species has a range across South Africa, Ethiopia and Cameroon, where it can adapt to just about any environment, and can be found in a variety of open habitats like savannas, woodlands, and bushveld. They build relatively large nests, produced by male and female, made from any materials which the birds can find, including man-made waste products such as paper and plastic, which leads to a generally very scruffy looking nest.
