mousebird

[ mous-burd ]

noun

1. coly.

mousebird

/ ˈmaʊsˌbɜːd /

noun

1. another name for coly

Word History and Origins

Origin of mousebird¹

First recorded in 1815–25; mouse + bird

Example Sentences

The 62-million-year-old mousebird suggests that, after the great dino die-off, birds rebounded and diversified rapidly, setting the stage for today’s dizzying variety of feathery forms.

From Science Magazine

The discovery of Tsidiiyazhi abini, an ancient species of mousebird, is a new source of evidence.

From BBC

The 62-million-year-old mousebird suggests that, after the great dino die-off, birds rebounded and diversified rapidly, setting the stage for today’s dizzying variety of feathery forms.

From Science Magazine

But certain tell-tale characteristics—such as its fourth toe, which it could turn around forward or backward to help it climb or grasp—convinced the team that it was an ancient mousebird.

From Science Magazine

Its mousebird descendants—about the size of a sparrow and marked by their soft, grayish or brownish hairlike feathers—still dwell in trees in sub-Saharan Africa today.

From Science Magazine