''Anairetes'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

containing the tit-tyrants, a group of small, mainly

Andean The Andes, Andes Mountains or Andean Mountains (; ) are the List of mountain ranges#Mountain ranges by length, longest continental mountain range in the world, forming a continuous highland along the western edge of South America. The range i ...

birds, in the tyrant flycatcher family

Tyrannidae The tyrant flycatchers (Tyrannidae) are a family of passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They are considered the largest family of birds known to exist in the world, with more than 400 species. They are the most dive ...

. The group briefly included the genus Uromyias, which had been recognized based on syringeal and

plumage Plumage ( "feather") is a layer of feathers that covers a bird and the pattern, colour, and arrangement of those feathers. The pattern and colours of plumage differ between species and subspecies and may vary with age classes. Within species, ...

characters, including a flatter crest and a longer tail, but was included within ''Anairetes'' due to genetic analysis. Recent analyses suggested splitting into Uromyias again.DuBay, S.G., Witt, C.C. 2012. An improved phylogeny of the Andean tit-tyrants (Aves, Tyrannidae): More characters trump sophisticated analyses. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 64, 285-296. ''Anairetes'' is believed to be most closely related to the genera ''

Mecocerculus ''Mecocerculus'' is a genus of birds in the large tyrant flycatcher family Tyrannidae The tyrant flycatchers (Tyrannidae) are a family of passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They are considered the largest family ...

'' and '' Serpophaga''; however, there is no definitive evidence supporting this claim.del Hoyo 2004, p. 176 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. Species in this genus live in temperate or arid scrub habitats and are mainly found in the

Andes The Andes, Andes Mountains or Andean Mountains (; ) are the longest continental mountain range in the world, forming a continuous highland along the western edge of South America. The range is long, wide (widest between 18°S – 20°S ...

mountains.del Hoyo 2004, p. 177 It is one of only a few genera of small flycatchers that occur at such high altitudes.del Hoyo 2004, p. 190

Species

The genus contains 6 species:

Species

References

Cited texts

See also