From Opus

Race ceylonensis
Photo by Steve G
Sinharaja Rain Forest Preserve, Sri Lanka, July, 2009

Garrulax cinereifrons

[edit] Identification

With 24-25cm a medium-sized, rather dull Laughingthrush.^1,3

• Chestnut-brown above
• Buffy-brown below
• Dull grey head and pale eye
• Dark bill and dark legs

Confusion is possible with Orange-billed Babbler which is much darker and has orange bill and legs.

[edit] Distribution

Endemic to Sri Lanka, where it is the only Laughingthrush.
This restricted range species is threaten by habitat loss, mainly the cutting and clearance of forest. The population is estimated at 2500 to 9999 birds and is decreasing. Most notably found in the Sinharaja Forest Reserve.¹

[edit] Taxonomy

Monotypic.^1,2

[edit] Habitat

Found in understorey of broadleaved evergreen forest, also in bamboo. Keeps away from forest edge. Found up to 1200, locally higher.^1,3

[edit] Behaviour

Feeds on caterpillars, bugs, beetles, grubs, small snails and also on fruit and seeds.¹ Forages in groups of 4 to 20 birds, faning out to feed on or near ground in low vegetation.³. Sometimes also in bird-waves, often associating with Orange-billed Babbler.¹
Breeding season probably from March to August, but nest also found at other months suggest year-round breeding. The nest, a big mass of untidy placed twigs, is placed some 5m above ground in a bush or a fork of a small tree. Lays 3 -4 eggs. At least partly a social breeder. Nest predation seem to be frequent, mainly by Sri Lanka Blue Magpie.¹
Resident, no movements known.¹

[edit] References

1. del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. and Christie, D.A. eds. 2007. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 12. Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 84-96553-42-6
2. Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist.
3. Rasmussen, P.C. and Anderton, J.C. 2005. Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide. Washington D.C. and Barcelona: Smithsonian Institution and Lynx Editions. ISBN 84-87334-67-9

[edit] External Links

• View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages