Mousebirds

Mousebirds are unusual birds not closely related to (other) passerines; their closest relatives may be parrots.

Mousebirds come only from sub-Saharan Africa, have crests, long tails and reversible outside toes (semi-zygodactyl). They climb and run about trees like acrobatic mice, are gregarious and have fluffy downlike feathers. Males and females have similar plumage.

The SPECKLED MOUSEBIRD, Colius striatus, is found in most of sub-Saharan Africa in open or relatively open habitat. It is the largest of the Mousebirds. Not visibly "speckled". Very sociable, they sleep in closely packed groups at night.
The BLUE-NAPED MOUSEBIRD, Urocolius macrourus, is found in East Africa. It is light grey-brown (can look grey or light brown) and adults have a black-bordered pink bill and a turquoise nape.