Photo: JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Silver-eared Mesia
Leiothrix argentauris
Silver-eared Mesia (Leiothrix argentauris) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 8 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Silver-eared Mesia (Leiothrix argentauris) is a member of the Leiothrichidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 28.4 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Leiothrichidae Laughingthrushes & Allies
- Genus Leiothrix
- Species argentauris
Quick facts
- Weight
- 28.4 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Leiothrichidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Silver-eared Mesia is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Silver-eared Mesia is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Silver-eared Mesia (Leiothrix argentauris) is a species of bird in the Leiothrichidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR Himalayas to Sumatra.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 28.4 g, with a wing length of about 7.4 cm and a tail of around 7.5 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 1.3 million km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Silver-eared Mesia?
The Silver-eared Mesia is a small bird that weighs around 28.4 g.
Where does the Silver-eared Mesia live?
The Silver-eared Mesia is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR Himalayas to Sumatra, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Silver-eared Mesia belong to?
The Silver-eared Mesia (Leiothrix argentauris) belongs to the Leiothrichidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Silver-eared Mesia eat?
The Silver-eared Mesia is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Silver-eared Mesia migrate?
The Silver-eared Mesia is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Silver-eared Mesia endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the Silver-eared Mesia's range?
The Silver-eared Mesia has a mapped global range of about 1.3 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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