A small African bird of the family Coliidae, also called a mousebird, with gray and brown plumage and a long tail.
From Greek kolos meaning 'mutilated' or 'docked,' possibly referring to the bird's short legs or distinctive appearance. The exact etymology is uncertain but likely references physical characteristics.
Mousebirds are named coly from Greek, and 'mousebird' in English—they hang upside down from branches like bats, have the shortest legs relative to body size of any bird, and can lower their body temperature at night like reptiles. They're basically small feathered mammals.
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