The naming of the Mousebird is interesting.  They have toes which can ‘rotate’, allowing them to grip branches in various ways. Where other birds hop around, Mousebirds can climb and even hang upside down. These ‘different’ movements look like rodents in shrubbery.

The possible naming therefore; ‘Mouse’ bird is not only its appearance but also its ability to scurry around branches looking quite similar to a mouse.

Uniquely, Coliidae, is the only surviving family contained within the order Coliiformes.  This order of Mousebirds contains 6 species, all of which are found south of the Sahara, and three of which are found in Southern Africa. Two of these; White-backed and Red-faced are endemic (or near endemic) to Southern Africa.

The other three;

Blue-naped Mousebird

White-headed Mousebird and

Bar-breasted Mousebird

are found north of Southern Africa.