What is Mousebird?
{{Taxobox |name = Coliiformes |image = Colius striatus1.jpg |image_width = 220px |image_caption = [[Speckled Mousebird]], ''Colius striatus'' |regnum = [[Animalia]] |phylum = [[Chordata]] |classis = [[Aves]] |subclassis = [[Neornithes]] |infraclassis = [[Neognathae]] |superordo = [[Neoaves]] |ordo = '''Coliiformes''' |ordo_authority = Murie, 1872 |familia = '''Coliidae''' |familia_authority = [[William Swainson|Swainson]], 1837<br/>and see text |subdivision_ranks = [[Genera]] |subdivision = ''[[Colius]]''<br> ''[[Urocolius]]'' }} A '''mousebird''' is one of a small group of [[bird]]s. They are not closely related to other groups of birds. Though they and the parrots and cockatoos ([[Psittaciformes]]) may be closer to each other than to other birds. The mousebirds are given [[order (biology)|order]] status as '''Coliiformes'''. This group only lives in sub-Saharan [[Africa]]. They had a wider range in prehistoric times and apparently [[evolution|evolve]]d in [[Europe]]. ==Description== They are slender greyish or brown birds with soft, hairlike body [[feathers]]. They are typically about 10&nbsp;cm in body length. They have a long, thin, tail a further 20–24&nbsp;cm in length. They weigh 45–55&nbsp;grams.<ref name=EoB>{{cite book |editor=Forshaw, Joseph|author=Cunningham-Van Someren, G.R.|year=1991|title=Encyclopaedia of Animals: Birds|publisher=Merehurst Press|location=London|pages=138–139|isbn=1-85391-186-0}}</ref> They are [[arboreal]] and scurry through the leaves like [[rodent]]s, in search of berries, fruit and buds. This habit, and their legs, is the reason for the group's [[English language|English]] name. They can feed upside down. They have [[Crest (feathers)|crests]] and stubby bills. Mousebirds are very talkative. They are found in bands of about twenty in lightly wooded country. These birds build cup-shaped twig nests in trees, which are lined with grasses. 2–4 eggs are typically laid. ==References== {{Reflist}} {{commons category|Coliidae}} [[Category:Birds]]