| Leiothrix | |
|---|---|
| Silver-eared Mesia Leiothrix argentauris |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Timaliidae |
| Genus: | Leiothrix Swainson, 1832 |
| Species | |
Leiothrix is a genus in the Old World babbler family. Among the Old World babblers proper, they belong to a clade also containing at least the liocichlas, barwings, minlas and sibias. The sibias are possibly their closest living relatives (Cibois 2003).
There are two species:
Their delicate colors and accomplished song make them popular cagebirds.