 There are about 65 species of medium to large thrushes in the genus "Turdus", characterized by rounded heads, longish pointed wings, and usually melodious songs.A study of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene indicates that the American robin is not part of the Central/South American clade of "Turdus" thrushes; instead it shows genetic similarities to the Kurrichane thrush ("T. libonyanus") and the olive thrush ("T. olivaceus"), both African species.This conflicts with a 2007 DNA study of 60 of 65 "Turdus" species which places the American robin's closest relative as the rufous-collared thrush ("T. rufitorques") of Central America.