From Opus

Vinous-throated Parrotbill
Photo by MongolianGull

Fulvous Parrotbill
Photo by china guy

Family: Paradoxornithidae

[edit] Description

This family contained all parrotbills and Bearded Reedling.
They differ from the babblers by having their nostrils completely covered by bristles. They share:

• A very deep bill, mostly greater in depth than in length (except for Panurus and Conostoma), resembling a parrot's bill in shape
• The nostrils are circular and shielded by plumules or by a coriaceous membrane (Panurus)
• The plumage is mostly brown, grey and rufous in various combinations with some black markings
• Sexes are similar, except in Bearded Reedling

Many species are associated with bamboo, grassland and reedbeds.

[edit] Taxonomy

Paradoxornithidae would be family in the Order Passeriformes.

However, the Bearded Reedling is now placed in its own family Panuridae, related to the larks. Furthermore the remaining two genera are now included in the newly shaped family Sylviidae.
The genus Paradoxornis is sometimes split up into seven genera.

[edit] References

1. Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2007. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 12: Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553422
2. Penhallurick J and Robson C. 2009. The generic taxonomy of parrotbills (Aves, Timaliidae). Forktail 25: 137 - 141.

• List of references

[edit] External Links

• Thread about Parrotbill taxonomy