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The genu Epthianura is a group of birds commonly known as the Australian chats. They were once thought to constitute a separate family, the Epthianuridae, they are now the subfamily, Epthianurinae, belonging to the honeyeater family Meliphagidae.

The Australian chats are small birds that longish legs and bills that are decurved (curved downwards). The bills smooth and like their relatives the honeyeaters, their tongues are brush-tipped, allowing some species to eat nectar.

The male Australian chats have bright coloured plumage (especially during breeding season), whilst the females, immature and juvenile birds have lesser brightly coloured plumage. Some non-breeding male chats also are less brightly coloured in their plumage.


  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Aves
  • Order: Passeriformes
  • Family: Meliphagidae
  • Genus: Epthianura

Footnote & References

  1. Epthianura, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epthianura (last visited Oct. 9, 2021).

Australian ChatsCrimson Chat Orange Chat White-fronted Chat

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