| Leiothrix | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Silver-eared mesia Leiothrix argentauris | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Leiothrichidae |
| Genus: | Leiothrix Swainson, 1832 |
| Type species | |
| Parus furcatus[1] =Sylvia luteo Temminck, 1824 | |
| Species | |
Leiothrix is agenus ofpasserine birds in thefamilyLeiothrichidae. They belong to aclade also containing at least theliocichlas,barwings,minlas andsibias. The sibias are possibly their closest living relatives.
The genusLeiothrix was introduced in 1832 by the English naturalistWilliam Swainson with thered-billed leiothrix as thetype species.[2][3] The genus name combines theAncient Greekleios meaning "smooth" andthrix meaning "hair".[4]
The genus contains twospecies:[5]
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver-eared mesia
| Leiothrix argentauris (Hodgson, 1837) Seven subspecies
| South East Asia. | Size: Habitat: Diet: | LC |
| Red-billed leiothrix or "Pekin nightingale"
| Leiothrix lutea (Scopoli, 1786) Five subspecies
| India, Bhutan, Nepal, Burma and parts of Tibet. | Size: Habitat: Diet: | LC |
Their delicate colors and accomplished song make them popular cagebirds.
