Recent progress from Yang xiaojun’ laboratory indicated that traditional genera Actindorua and Pomatorhinus (Timaliidae, Aves) are both paraphyletic, which indicated more complicated avian evolution in eastern Asian. In combination with morphology, it is recommended splitting both genera into two genera respectively. There is a significant pattern of north-south division inside traditional barwings. And it is speculated that an ecological niche differentiation might have promoted this pattern. A dating analysis reveal that thecommon ancestors of Pomatorhinus and allies occurred in the mid-Miocene climatic optimum and subsequent divergent events agreed with geological variations well. The findings should shed light on the diversification of avian species in eastern Asia and relevant articles are published in Zoological Studies (49: 703-709) and Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution (57:1268-1275).