Leiothrix lutea
The Red-billed Leiothrix, *Leiothrix lutea*, is a captivating and vibrantly colored passerine bird, small in stature, typically measuring 13-16 cm (5-6.3 inches) in length with a wingspan of 15-18 cm and weighing around 18-35 grams. Its striking appearance is characterized by a bright red bill, a grey head, an olive-green back, and a brilliant yellow to orange throat and breast that fades to white on the belly. A distinctive black eye-stripe extends from the bill to behind the eye, while its ...
Found primarily in subtropical and tropical montane forests, the Red-billed Leiothrix prefers dense undergrowth, bamboo thickets, and scrubland, often near streams or forest edges, typically at elevations between 1,000 and 2,500 meters.
Their diet is primarily insectivorous, consisting of various invertebrates like beetles, ants, and insect larvae, supplemented extensively by small fruits and berries; they also consume seeds and nectar, foraging by gleaning foliage and occasionally probing.
Red-billed Leiothrix are highly active, diurnal birds, constantly foraging and moving through dense vegetation. They employ an agile foraging strategy, gleaning insects and fruit from leaves, branches, and occasionally the ground with quick, darting movements. During the breeding season, males be...
Native to the mountainous regions of the Himalayas and Southeast Asia, the Red-billed Leiothrix's primary breeding range extends from northern India and Nepal eastward through Bhutan, southern China (including parts of Yunnan, Sichuan, and Fujian), Myanmar, northern Thailand, Laos, and northern V...
Least Concern
- The Red-billed Leiothrix is often called the 'Pekin Robin' or 'Japanese Nightingale' due to its popularity as a cage bird and its melodious song. - Despite its vivid coloration, its patchwork plumage serves as excellent camouflage amidst dappled light and dense forest undergrowth. - In some int...