These species were formerly placed in the genus Macronus. A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2012 found that Macronus was not monophyletic. To create monophyletic genera Macronus was split and some species moved to the resurrected genus Mixornis.[2][3]Mixornis had been introduced in 1842 by the English zoologist Edward Blyth to accommodate the taxon Timalia chloris. This is a junior synonym of Macronous gularis rubicapillus which had been described in 1833 by Samuel Tickell. It is now one of the subspecies of the pin-striped tit-babbler (Mixornis gularis rubicapilla).[2][4][5] The genus name combines the Ancient Greekmixis meaning "mixed" or "mingling" with ornis meaning "bird".[6]
Collar, N. J. & Robson, C. 2007. Family Timaliidae (Babblers) pp. 70 – 291 in; del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Christie, D.A. eds. Handbook of the Birds of the World, Vol. 12. Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.