Mouse ID please

Dawny · #1 (**permalink**) 19-07-2009, 04:59 PM

Can anyone tell me what type of mouse this is and what are the distinguishing features. I've tried to look on the internet but they all look very similar to me.
He runs up the tree and eats the peanuts out of the bird feeder- very cute.

Crutchley29 · #2 (**permalink**) 19-07-2009, 07:14 PM

I did a search Dawny and i believe this may be a Field Mouse, giving the relative size of the eyes, it's hard to say what the dimensions are given the angle and it would have been easier if we had the tail on show, the ears seem a good match aswell.

Dogghound · #3 (**permalink**) 19-07-2009, 07:22 PM

This is one of the apodemus species but I suspect it may be the Yellow necked mouse a species often overlooked for the similar looking wood mouse(field mouse).

Dawny · #4 (**permalink**) 19-07-2009, 08:53 PM

Hi can you tell me what points towards yellow necked mouse over woodmouse (is that the same as field mouse?)

Sorry I couldn't get the whole mouse in shot, it was very quick and this was the best pic I managed.

Dogghound · #5 (**permalink**) 19-07-2009, 08:57 PM

It looks to have an extensive area of brown fur around its throat. Which wood mice (same species as field mice) lack. Also where the white and brown fur meet looks neater (less uniform in wood mice). Where abouts in the UK are you?

Birdies · #6 (**permalink**) 20-07-2009, 04:59 PM

Hi
I'm an Essex lass - is this the right sort of area ?

I started off trying to learn more about birds a couple of years ago and now find my interest growing to all british wildlife. I went to Langdon Hills last weekend and got chatting to a chap about butterflies, so guess what -a new interest.

jaguarondi · #7 (**permalink**) 20-07-2009, 05:05 PM

Both the field mouse and yellow-necked mouse are common where I live, West Suffolk, though the field mouse is the commoner.

Dogghound · #8 (**permalink**) 20-07-2009, 06:38 PM

Yes they are abundant in the southern counties. As jaguarondi says they are not as common as wood mice but not a particularly scarce species just one thats often overlooked.