Leiothrichidae
| Leiothrichidae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| White-crested Laughingthrush | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Suborder: | Passeri |
| Family: | Leiothrichidae Swainson, 1831 |
| Genera | |
|
Dozens; see article text | |
The laughingthrushes are a family of mostly Old World passerine birds. They are rather diverse in size and coloration. These are birds of tropical areas, with the greatest variety in Southeast Asia and the Indian Subcontinent. The entire family was previously included in the Timaliidae.
Characteristics
They are small to medium sized birds. They have strong legs, and many are quite terrestrial. They typically have generalised bills, similar to those of a thrush. Most have predominantly brown plumage, with minimal difference between the sexes, but many more brightly coloured species also exist.[1]
This group is not strongly migratory, and most species have short rounded wings, and a weak flight. They live in lightly wooded or scrubland environments, ranging from swamp to near-desert. They are primarily insectivorous, although many will also take berries, and the larger species will even eat small lizards and other vertebrates.[1]
List of Species
- Genus Babax (3 species)
- Genus Garrulax – (approx. 50 species)
- Genus Trochalopteron (21 species)
- Genus Turdoides (27 species)
- Genus Kupeornis (3 species)
- Genus Phyllanthus
- Capuchin Babbler, Phyllanthus atripennis
- Genus Cutia (2 species)
- Genus Leiothrix (2 species)
- Genus Crocias (2 species)
- Genus Heterophasia (8 species)
- Genus Liocichla (5 species)
- Genus Actinodura (7 species)
- Genus Minla (3 species)
References
- Cibois, A. 2003. Mitochondrial DNA phylogeny of babblers (Timaliidae). Auk 120: 35-54.
- Collar, N. J., and C. Robson. 2007. Family Timaliidae (babblers). Pages 70-291 in J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, and D.A. Christie (editors), Handbook of the birds of the world. Volume12. Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.
- Gelang, M., A. Cibois, E. Pasquet, U. Olsson, P. Alström and P.G.P. Ericson. 2009. Phylogeny of babblers (Aves, Passeriformes): major lineages, family limits and classification. Zoologica Scripta 38: 225-236.