| Bradypterus | |
|---|---|
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| Little rush warbler (Bradypterus baboecala) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Locustellidae |
| Genus: | Bradypterus Swainson, 1837 |
| Type species | |
| Bradypterus platyurus[1] Swainson, 1837 | |
| Species | |
12, but see text | |
Bradypterus is agenus of smallinsectivoroussongbirds ("warblers") in the newly recognized grass warblerfamily (Locustellidae). They were formerly placed in theSylviidae, which at that time was awastebin taxon for the warbler-likeSylvioidea. The range of this genus extends through the warm regions fromAfrica around theIndian Ocean and far intoAsia.
The genusBradypterus (misspelled asBradyptetus) introduced in 1837 by the English zoologistWilliam Swainson to accommodate a single species,Bradypterus platyurus Swainson.[2][3][4] This, thetype species, is ajunior synonym ofSylvia baboecalaVieillot, thelittle rush warbler.[4] The genus name combines theAncient Greek βραδυς/bradus meaning "slow" or "sluggish" with -πτερος/-pteros meaning "-winged".[5]
Thelocustellid bush warblers are related to the grass warblers ofLocustella andMegalurus, but share lifestyle and relatedadaptations andapomorphies with bush warblers in the familyCettiidae. These belong to an older lineage of Sylvioidea. Both "bush warbler" genera are smallish birds well adapted to climbing amongshrubbery. They are markedly long-tailed birds, at first glance somewhat reminiscent ofwrens.
These are quite terrestrial birds, which live in densely vegetatedhabitats like thick forest and reedbeds. They will walk away from disturbance rather than flush. Theplumage similarities and skulking lifestyle make these birds hard to see and identify.
Locustellid bush warblers tend towards greyish browns above and buffish or light grey tones below. They have little patterning apart from the ubiquitoussupercilium. Altogether, they appear much like the plainer species amongAcrocephalus marsh-warblers in coloration. Cettiid bush warblers tend to be somewhat more compact, with less pointed tails, but are otherwise very similar.
This genus has been recently revised. TheSri Lanka bush warbler is sometimes placed in this genus but is now placed in its own monotypic genus (Elaphrornis). Several other former members of this genus (e.g. theChinese bush warbler) are now placed inLocustella.Victorin's warbler is no longer a member of this genus or even the family Locustellidae, but is now placed in its own monotypic genusCryptillas in the African warbler familyMacrosphenidae.
The genus contains 12 species:[6]