Speckled Mousebird

Colius striatus

Range

• Africa

Habitat

• Grasslands

Diet

• Fruits
• Buds
• Insects

The six living species of mousebirds are found only in Africa. Dining upon fruits, buds, and insects, their specially-jointed jaws give them a snake-like ability to swallow huge food.

Fur-like feathers grow randomly over their entire body, not in neat patterns like other birds. Often found hanging beneath a perch with feet next to their head, this bird can rotate all four toes to point the same way.