| Tremblers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Brown trembler (Cinclocerthia ruficauda) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Mimidae |
| Genus: | Cinclocerthia G.R. Gray, 1840 |
| Type species | |
| Stenorhynchus ruficauda[1] Gould, 1836 | |
| Species | |
(but see text) | |
| Synonyms | |
BuleitesGistl, 1848 | |
Tremblers (Cinclocerthia) are agenus ofperching birds in thefamilyMimidae that areendemic to theLesser Antilles. They are medium-small, mostly brown or grey birds with long beaks and tails that typically are held cocked. Most recent authorities recognize two species in the genus, but some split each into two species, bringing it to four species:
Among other living birds, they are apparently most closely related to thepearly-eyed thrasher.[2]
Their common name comes from their peculiar behavior: if excited, they will show a much more exaggerated version of the wing-flicking also seen in other mimids such as thenorthern mockingbirds. The tremblers do not just flick their wings, but shake their entire bodies in a trembling motion.