Pekin Robin (Leiothrix lutea)

Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Timaliidae
Genus: Leiothrix
Species: L. lutea

Identification
Sometimes called the Chinese Nightingale, the Pekin Robin  (Leiothrix lutea) is an ideal softbill for beginners. They are kept as songbirds in their native habitat and a good singing male is a prized possession. In many rural areas the family’s wealth is measured by how many song birds they own.

Adults have bright red bills and a dull yellow ring around their eyes. Their backs are dull olive green and have a bright yellow-orange throat with a yellow chin; females are somewhat duller than males, and juveniles have black bills.

Pekins will eat just about anything but they should be offered a well-balanced diet that includes various fruits, Universal food or softbill pellets, insects and a little nectar. There are as many Pekin diets as there are Pekin breeders but remember, they are softbills and should not be fed kiln-dried seeds.

Habitat
The Red-billed Leiothrix is native to Southern Asia. It has also been introduced on the Hawaiian Islands and small populations of escapees have existed in Japan since the 1980s.