There are around 181 species of birds in this family. They are found worldwide except for Antarctica and parts of the Arctic.

They are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, scrublands, wetlands, deserts, grasslands, fields, and suburban and urban areas.

The birds in this family are small to medium-sized, between 4.5-13 inches in length. They have slender bills, short, rounded or pointed wings, and medium-sized tails.

The birds in this family come in a variety of colors and patterns, including brown, blue, gray, and black. They often have patches of red, orange, white, or yellow. They eat fruit, berries, insects, seeds, leaves, and worms.