Leistes

Leistes
Long-tailed meadowlark (Leistes loyca)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Icteridae
Genus: Leistes
Vigors, 1825
Type species
Oriolus americanus
Gmelin, 1788
Species
  • S. militaris
  • S. superciliaris
  • S. bellicosus
  • S. defilippii
  • S. loyca

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.