鸟类的代谢产热特征与其地理分布的气候带和栖息环境密切相关，某一地区某种鸟类的代谢水平与总体鸟类代谢一般模式的差异，可以反映出该物种对环境独特的适应机制和进化对策，体现出生物多样性与环境相适应的关系。中国现有画眉科鸟类分别占世界属、种的57.4%和45.9%，是画眉科分布的辐射中心，画眉科鸟类不仅是我国野生动物资源的一个重要组成部分，而且对全球生物多样性保护具有重要意义。本项目以画眉鸟和红嘴相思鸟为研究对象，以进化生理学的理论为基础，从不同组织层次（整体、器官、细胞及分子水平等）上整合研究画眉鸟和红嘴相思鸟的代谢产热特征；探讨外部环境因素（温度和光周期等）和内部调节因子（甲状腺激素、鸟类解偶联蛋白和瘦素等）对画眉鸟和红嘴相思鸟适应性产热的影响，确定限制其地理分布的产热特征，揭示其生存对策及适应机制，为对其管理与保护提供科学依据。

Fluctuating environments necessitate adjustments in physiology, behavior and morphology in small birds. Adjustments of thermoregulatory mechanisms presumably promote the survival of birds subjected to seasonal changes in their natural environment, including temperature, photoperiod, and food quality and availability. Phenotypic flexibility refers to phenotypic changes that are reversible, temporary, and repeatable. Resident birds of temperate climates provide a natural experiment in phenotypic flexibility, and in these birds winter increments of thermogenic capacity and cold tolerance are often associated with changes in exercise or nutritional organ masses and cellular aerobic capacity. Seasonal adjustment of cellular aerobic capacity potentially involves modulation of activities of key catabolic enzymes in oxidative pathways and/or activities of enzymes and transporters involved in substrate mobilization and delivery pathways. Thyroid hormones may regulate thermogenesis, especially basal and cold-induced thermogenesis in birds and mammals. Elevation of thyroid hormones in plasma increases the obligatory and facultative thermogenesis in some avian species. Thyroid hormones can also enhance adaptive thermogenesis by influencing several aspects of energy metabolism, such as substrate cycling, ion cycling, and mitochondrial proton leakage. Hwameis (Garrulax canorus) and red-billed leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea) belong to Passeriformes, Timaliidae. As an endemic Asian species, Hwameis mainly inhabit central and southern China, northern Indochina, Hainan and Taiwan. Within their ranges, Hwameis preferentially inhabit scrubland, open woodland, secondary forest. Due to the male's elaborate songs, Hwameis are one of the most popular caged birds in the global Chinese community. In this study, we used an integrative approach to investigate whether seasonal phenotypic variation is associated with physiological, hormonal, or biochemical differences in the hwamei and red-billed leiothrix. In the final, from the perspective of energy, we clarify the metabolism and adaptive strategy in hwamei and red-billed leiothrix, and provide a scientific basis for Timaliidae which adapt to different environments.