Orange-bellied Leafbird Chloropsis hardwickii Scientific name definitions

The Orange-bellied Leafbird (Chloropsis hardwickii) is a colorful, outstanding songster of hilly woodlands in the Himalayas and subtropical mainland eastern and southeastern Asia. Males have the diagnostic combination of an extensive black mask, yellow-orange belly, and grass-green upperparts. Like most of its relatives, the females lack the black coloration. It is a generalist and acrobatic feeder that plays a key role in seed dispersal of flowering and fruiting plants. The eastern subspecies (lazulina/melliana) are often recognized as a separate species “Grayish-crowned Leafbird” (as Chloropsis lazulina) based on genetic divergence which aligns with plumage differences.