The Geokichla thrushes are medium-sized mostly insectivorous or omnivorous birds in the
thrush family,
Turdidae. They were traditionally listed in the Zoothera, but
molecular phylogenetic studies published in 2008 led to their placement in a separate genus.
These species were formerly placed in the genus Zoothera.
Molecular phylogenetic analysis by Gary Voelker and collaborators published in 2008 found that Zoothera was
polyphyletic.[6][7] To create
monophyletic genera 21 species were moved from Zoothera to the resurrected genus Geokichla.[8]
^Voelker, G.; Klicka, J. (2008). "Systematics of Zoothera thrushes and a synthesis of true thrush molecular relationships". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 49: 377–381.
doi:
10.1016/j.ympev.2008.06.014.
^
abGill, Frank; Donsker, David;
Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (July 2023).
"Thrushes". IOC World Bird List Version 13.2. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 13 December 2023.