mousebird
ExploreBirds
mousebird
Coliidae
Mousebirds are small, colorful birds that love to hop around in trees. They have long tails and can often be seen hanging upside down while they eat fruits and leaves.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The mousebird is a small, slender bird with a distinctive crest on its head and an extremely long, stiff tail, often making up half its total length. They have soft, dull grey-brown plumage, sometimes with a touch of olive, blending seamlessly into their arboreal habitats. Their appearance, combined with their scuttling movements, gives them their mouse-like name.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderColiiformesFamilyColiidae
Category
BirdsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Mousebirds are rare birds that regurgitate food to feed other adults!
They often eat in a head-down position, which is unusual for birds!
They use strong claws to hold onto fruit like tiny hands while feeding.
Young mousebirds leave the nest early but are still fed by their diligent parents!
Special abilities
Ability
Reversible Toes
Mousebirds can rotate their outer toes forward and backward that helps them cling to branches in any direction.
Ability
Super Tail Balance
Mousebirds have an incredibly long, stiff tail that helps them balance perfectly while climbing, even upside down.
Ability
Torpor Trick
Mousebirds can enter a temporary torpor state that helps them save energy on cold nights or when food is scarce.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 29-38 cm
- Wingspan
- 20-25 cm
- Weight
- 0.03-0.07 kg
- Lifespan
- 5-10 years
- Top Speed
- 40 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 2-6
- Incubation
- 11-15 days
- Migration Distance
- 0 km
Diet & Feeding
They are fruit and plant-eaters, feasting on berries, leaves, and flowers in Africa.
Primary Foods
- Berries
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Buds
- Flowers
- Nectar
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus
Swift predator of small birds, including mousebirds.
eaten by
Spotted Eagle-Owl
Bubo africanus
Nocturnal owl that preys on many small animals and birds.
eats
Sycamore Fig
Ficus sycomorus
Mousebirds eagerly feast on the abundant fruit of this fig tree.
eats
Sweet Thorn
Acacia karroo
Mousebirds consume the buds, flowers, and pods of this common tree.
eats
Jackalberry
Diospyros mespiliformis
Mousebirds enjoy the sweet fruits of the Jackalberry tree.
Traits
Feathered
Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Arboreal
Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is mousebird?
29-38 cm
What is mousebird's wingspan?
20-25 cm
How much does mousebird weigh?
0.03-0.07 kg
How long does mousebird live?
5-10 years
How fast can mousebird move?
40 km/h
What does mousebird eat?
They are fruit and plant-eaters, feasting on berries, leaves, and flowers in Africa.
Where is mousebird usually found?
Forests
How does mousebird hunt?
Foraging
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
.jpg&width=800)
