Anairetes
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| Anairetes | |
|---|---|
| Tufted tit-tyrant (Anairetes parulus) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Tyrannidae |
| Genus: | Anairetes Reichenbach, 1850 |
| Type species | |
| Muscicapa parulus[1] von Kittlitz, 1830 | |
| Species | |
|
6, see text | |
Anairetes is a genus containing the tit-tyrants, a group of small, mainly Andean birds, in the tyrant flycatcher family Tyrannidae. The group briefly included the genus Uromyias, which had been recognized based on syringeal and plumage characters, including a flatter crest and a longer tail, but was included within Anairetes due to genetic analysis.[2][3] Recent analyses suggested splitting into Uromyias again.[4] Anairetes is believed to be most closely related to the genera Mecocerculus and Serpophaga; however, there is no definitive evidence supporting this claim.[5]
They are fairly small birds (11–14 cm) that get their common name from the tit family, due to their energetic tit-like dispositions and appearance, primarily in their crests.[2] Species in this genus live in temperate or arid scrub habitats and are mainly found in the Andes mountains.[2] It is one of only a few genera of small flycatchers that occur at such high altitudes.[6]