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    Coliidae – Mousebirds

    These African birds drop their body temperature considerably when in energy-saving mode!

    Mousebirds are stubby little birds with long tails and a brown crest on their heads.

    These birds are now found only south of the Sahara in Africa in scrublands and savannas, typically at forest edges and near the vegetation along rivers.

    Mousebirds get their names from the way they scurry around like mice. Also known as colies, these birds primarily eat fruits, berries, and small insects. They can hang upside down on trees with their strong claws while feeding. They live in colonies, clustering for warmth at night and going into a hibernation-like torpor to conserve energy.