Mousebirds Mousebirds are unusual birds not closely related to (other) passerines; their closest relatives may be parrots.

Mousebirds come only from sub-Saharan Africa, have crests, long tails and reversible outside toes (semi-zygodactyl). They climb and run about trees like acrobatic mice, are gregarious and have fluffy down-like feathers. Males and females have similar plumage.

Speckled Mousebird
Speckled Mousebird
Speckled Mousebird
The SPECKLED MOUSEBIRD, Colius striatus, is found in most of sub-Saharan Africa in open or relatively open habitat. It is the largest of the Mousebirds.
Speckled Mousebird
Speckled Mousebird
Speckled Mousebird
The head and neck is slightly "speckled" in close-up. Very sociable, they sleep in closely packed groups at night.
Speckled Mousebird "How did you get strawberry on your toes?"
Speckled Mousebird "Just like that."
Speckled Mousebird
Speckled Mousebird
Speckled Mousebird
Speckled Mousebird
green line
Blue-naped Mousebird
Blue-naped Mousebird
Blue-naped Mousebird
The BLUE-NAPED MOUSEBIRD, Urocolius macrourus, is found in East Africa. It is light grey-brown (can look grey or light brown) and adults have a black-bordered pink bill and a turquoise nape.
Blue-naped Mousebird
Blue-naped Mousebird
Blue-naped Mousebird