Paradoxornithidae

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Paradoxornithidae (bearded tits, parrotbills; class Aves, order Passeriformes) A family of small to medium-sized, long-tailed birds which have short, deep, laterally compressed, parrot-like bills (yellow or orange in Paradoxornis species). Their plumage is soft and mainly reddish-brown. They inhabit forest, scrub, and reed-beds, feed on insects and seeds, and nest in trees, bushes, and reeds. The largest genus, Paradoxornis, with 18 species found only in Asia, is typical. Panurus biarmicus (bearded reedling) is the only parrotbill in Europe. There are three genera, with about 20 species, found in Europe and Asia.

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