Coliiformes

(vertebrate zoology) A monofamilial order of birds distinguished by long tails, short legs, and long toes, all four of which are directed forward.

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Mousebirds

(Coliidae)

Class: Aves

Order: Coliiformes

Suborder: Coliidae

Family: Collidae

Number of families: 1

Thumbnail description
Small, long-tailed birds with elongated crest-feathers on the head

Size
10.2–15.7 in (26–39.8 cm); 1–2.9 oz (28–82 g)

Number of genera, species
2 genera; 6 species

Habitat
Forest edge, woodland, and savanna

Conservation status
Not threatened

Distribution
Sub-Saharan Africa

Resources

Schifter, H. Die Mausvögel (Coliidae). Wittenberg Lutherstadt: Die Neue Brehm Bücherei, A. Ziemsen Verlag, 1972. (Revised edition planned).

Brown, C. R., and G. G. Foster. "The Thermal and Energetic Significance of Clustering in the Speckled Mousebird, Colius striatus." Journal of Comparative Physiology B 162 (1992): 658–664.

Dean, W. R. J., J. B. Williams, and S. J. Milton. "Breeding of the White-backed Mousebird Colius colius in Relation to the Phenology of Fruiting Plants in the Southern Karoo, South Africa." J Afr Zool 107 (1993).

Decoux, J. P. "Les particularites demographiques et socioecologiques du Coliou strie dans le Nord-Est du Gabon." Rev Ecol (Terre et Vie) 36–37 (1982–1983): 37–78, 219–240.

Finke, C., A. Misovic, and R. Prinzinger. "Growth, the Development of Endothermy, and Torpidity in Blue-naped Mousebirds Urocolius macrourus." Ostrich 66 (1995): 1–9.

Prinzinger, R., R. Göppel, and A. Lorenz. "Der Torpor beim Rotrückenmausvogel Colius castanotus." J Orn 122 (1981).

Prinzinger, R., E. Schleucher, and A. Preßmar. "Langzeittelemetrie der Körpertemperatur mit synchroner Bestimmung de Energiestoffwechsels beim Blaunackenmausvogel (Urocolius macrourus) unter Normal- und Lethargiebedingungen." J Orn 133 (1992): 446–450.

Rowan, M.K. "A Study of the Colies of Southern Africa." Ostrich 38 (1967): 63–115.

Schifter, H. "Systematics and Distribution of Mousebirds (Coliidae)." Proc Intern Symp African Vertebr, Bonn (1985): 325–347.

Schifter, H. "Dispersal and Nomadism in Mousebirds (Coliidae)." Ostrich 65 (1994): 74–78.

[Article by: Herbert K. Schifter, PhD]

A small order of birds containing only the family Coliidae with six species (the mousebirds) restricted to Africa. The mousebirds are small, grayish to brownish, with a long tail. The legs are short and the feet strong, with the four toes movable into many positions from all four pointing forward to two reversed backward. Mousebirds perch, climb, crawl, and scramble agilely in bushes and trees. They are largely vegetarian but eat some insects. They are nonmigratory and gregarious, and sleep in clusters, but they are monogamous as breeders. The nest is an open cup in a tree or bush, and the two to four young remain in the nest, cared for by both adults until they can fly. The relationships of the mousebirds to other birds are obscure. Mousebirds have a surprisingly good fossil record from the Miocene of France and Germany. See also Aves.