| Hyliota | |
|---|---|
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| Violet-backed hyliota (Hyliota violacea) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Hyliotidae |
| Genus: | Hyliota Swainson, 1837 |
| Type species | |
| Hyliota flavigaster[1] Swainson, 1837 | |
The hyliotas are a genus,Hyliota, ofpasserine bird from Africa. The taxonomic position of the genus has been a longstanding mystery. They have been formerly regarded asOld World warblers in the familySylviidae, or related to the batises and wattle-eyes in the familyPlatysteiridae, bush-shrikes in the familyMalaconotidae, or even Old-World flycatchers in the familyMuscicapidae. An analysis of themitochondrial DNA of the genus and possible relatives found they have no close relatives and are basal in the clade Passerida. They are now often regarded as a family in their own right,Hyliotidae.[2]
The hyliotas are found in the canopy of broad-leaf forests. They usually do not live in groups but will joinmixed-species feeding flocks with other species. They are territorial and pairs are monogamous, nesting in camouflaged woven nests.
Hyliota contains the following species: