Leistes | |
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Long-tailed meadowlark (Leistes loyca) | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Passeriformes |
Family: | Icteridae |
Genus: | Leistes Vigors, 1825 |
Type species | |
Oriolus americanus Gmelin, 1788
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Species | |
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The genus Leistes are predominantly South American grassland birds called meadowlarks. The genus was previously lumped with the North American meadowlarks in the genus Sturnella.
It includes five species of largely insectivorous grassland birds. In all species the male at least has a black or brown back and extensively red underparts.