Leiothrix lutea (Scopoli, 1786)

Leiothrix lutea kumaiensis Whistler, 1943 – NorthWest Himalayas from NorthEast Pakistan East to North India (Uttarakhand). Leiothrix lutea calipyga (Hodgson, 1837) – Nepal East to Bhutan, NorthEast Indian hill states, South China (SouthEast Xizang), and extreme NorthWest Myanmar (possibly South to North Chin Hills). Leiothrix lutea yunnanensis Rothschild, 1921 – NorthEast Myanmar and South China (West & NorthWest Yunnan). Leiothrix lutea lutea (Scopoli, 1786) – SouthCentral & East China (Central Sichuan, South Gansu and South Shaanxi East to Central Anhui, South Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Fujian, South to Guizhou and North Guangxi). Leiothrix lutea kwangtungensis Stresemann, 1923 – South & SouthEast China (SouthEast Yunnan East to Central Guangxi, South Hunan and Guangdong) and North Vietnam (West & East Tonkin). [Collar, N., Robson, C. & de Juana, E. (2018). Red-billed Leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/59657 on 23 April 2018). Date of access - 23/04/2018]

The yellow leeothrix nest from April to October, the peak in the activity taking place in May and June. This bird builds its nest with fine curved stems, dead leaves, moss, lichens and other plants. The inner cup is filled with small rootlets. This nest is usually placed on the fork of a branch at low height above the ground (maximum 2 meters). Spawning usually consists of 4 eggs, pale blue in color with brown or amber spots that are distributed mainly over the widest part of the shell . The nest and the eggs are identical to those of the silver cheek leiothrix . These measure on average 22 mm out of 16. The female carries out most of the building of the nest, the male bringing her the different materials. The two partners are joining forces for the 14-day incubation. The part of the female seems more important. The location of the nest is quickly discovered by predators because of the noisy mating behavior of the nest during nesting.

Length: 14–15 cm; Weight: 18–28 g

Insects, berries, seeds, etc.

This bird is very active and an excellent singer but very secretive and difficult to see.[Male, T.D., Fancy, S.G, and Ralph, C.J. "Red- Billed Leiothrix." The birds of North America (1998)]

Seen in undergrowth in forest and secondary growth in small parties of 4 to 6 in association with other babblers.

Found in Montane Grasslands and Shrublands, Temperate Broadleaf and Mixed Forests, Temperate Coniferous Forests. Thick undergrowth in more open broadleaf evergreen, pine and mixed forests, forest edge, secondary forests, etc.

Decreasing

IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern

Red List Category & Criteria: Least Concern ver 3.1