Coliidae

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Coliidae (mousebirds, colies; class Aves, order Coliiformes) A family of brown or grey, short-winged and very long-tailed birds that are crested, with bare skin around the eye, and have short, stout, curved bills and short, strong feet, the hind toe being reversible so that all four toes point forward. They are found in scrub and bushes, feed on fruit and vegetable matter, and nest in trees and bushes. There is one genus, Colius, containing six species, all of which are confined to Africa.

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

Coliiformes

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Coliiformes (mousebirds, colies; class Aves) An order of birds that comprises a single family, Coliidae.

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

mousebird

views updated May 23 2018

mousebird See COLIIDAE; COLIIFORMES.

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

colies

views updated May 23 2018

colies See COLIIDAE.

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

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Mousebirds

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