| Forktails | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Little forktail (Enicurus scouleri) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Muscicapidae |
| Subfamily: | Saxicolinae |
| Genus: | Enicurus Temminck, 1822 |
| Type species | |
| Enicurus coronatus[1] Temminck, 1822 | |
Theforktails are smallinsectivorous birds in thegenusEnicurus. They were formerly placed in thethrush family,Turdidae, but are now treated as part of the Old World flycatcher family,Muscicapidae. Their common name derives from their long forked tail.[2]
These are southeastAsian forest species principally associated with mountain forests and streams. Most nest in rock crevices, laying 2–4eggs.
The genusEnicurus was introduced in 1822 by the Dutch zoologistCoenraad Jacob Temminck to accommodateEnicurus coronatus, thewhite-crowned forktail, which is therefore thetype species.[3] Temminck's epithet is considered to be ajunior synonym as four years earlier in 1818Louis Vieillot had coined thebinomial nameTurdus leschenaulti for the same species.[4] The genus name combines theAncient Greekhenikos meaning "singular" with-ouros meaning "-tailed".[5]
The following cladogram showing the relationships between the species is based on amolecular phylogenetic study of the Old World flycatchers published in 2023. TheBornean forktail (Enicurus borneensis) was not included.[6]
| Enicurus |
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The genus contains the following eight species:[7]