A new mousebird (Coliiformes: Coliidae) from the Oligocene of Germany

Abstract

A new species and genus of mousebird (Coliiformes: Coliidae) from the Oligocene (Rupelian) of Frauenweiler near Wiesloch (Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) is described. Oligocolius brevitarsus n. gen. n. sp. is the first Oligocene mousebird and one of the most complete skeletons of early Tertiary Coliidae to have come to Light so far. The new taxon has a more strongly developed wing and a much shorter tarsometatarsus than recent mousebirds and was probably adapted to a more sustained flight.