| Pachyglossa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Thick-billed flowerpecker (Pachyglossa agilis) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Dicaeidae |
| Genus: | Pachyglossa Blyth, 1843 |
| Type species | |
| Pachyglossa melanozantha Yellow-bellied flowerpecker Blyth, 1843 | |
Pachyglossa is one of the three genera of flowerpeckers that make up the family Dicaeidae. These species are found in montane areas of South and Southeast Asia.
The genus Pachyglossa was introduced in 1843 by the English zoologist Edward Blyth with Pachyglossa melanoxantha, Blyth, (the yellow-bellied flowerpecker) as the type species. [1] [2] The genus name combines the Ancient Greek παχυς/pakhus meaning "thick" with γλωσσα/glōssa meaning "tongue", "mouth" (or "bill"). [3] Molecular phylogetic studies of the flowerpecker family found that the genus Dicaeum was paraphyletic with respect to Prionochilus . [4] [5] [6] To resolve the paraphyly the genus Pachyglossa was resurrected to contain several species previously placed in Dicaeum as well as one species from Prionochilus , the olive-backed flowerpecker, for which the phylogeny is less certain. [7]
The genus contains seven species: [7]
In common with the other flowerpeckers, the Pachyglossa flowerpeckers are small birds, between 9–11 cm (3.5–4.3 in) in length and weighing 9–11 g (0.32–0.39 oz). The bill of all the 7 species is deep, broad and short. In terms of plumage the genus is fairly variable. [8]
Like all members of the family nectar and pollen of mistletoe (Loranthaceae) form an important part of their diet. In addition, other fruits are taken. Smaller fruits are consumed whole, or squeezed until skin is removed and discarded, then swallowed, whereas larger fruits are pierced with the bill and chunks removed and swallowed. Insects and spiders are also eaten. [8]
