Alternative names: Red-headed Laughingthrush; Black-eared Laughingthrush (nigrimentum)
- Trochalopteron erythrocephalum
Identification
24 - 26cm (9½-10¼ in). A medium-sized, variable laughingthrush.
- Brownish plumage
- Brilliant green-gold panels on wings and sides of tail
- Heavy black spots on upper mantle and scales on breast
- Chestnut forehead and nape
- Blackish lores and throat
- Dark eye
Variations
Subpecies nigrimentum has a slate-grey crown and grey cheek
Distribution
Found from the Himalayas of northern India east over Nepal, Bhutan, northeast India to Burma (see taxonomy). Extinct in Pakistan.
Common in part of its range.
Taxonomy
Formerly included also Assam Laughingthrush, Silver-eared Laughingthrush and Malayan Laughingthrush.
Also placed in the genus Garrulax.
Subspecies
Clements accepts three subspecies[1]:
- T. e. erythrocephalum in the Himalayas of western India (Himachal Pradesh to Uttar Pradesh)
- T. e. kali in western and central Nepal
- T. e. nigrimentum the Himalayas from Nepal to northeastern India (Assam) and southeastern Tibet
The described subspecies imprudens is now merged with nigrimentum. The subspecies woodi of Assam Laughingthrush was formerly included in this species.
Habitat
Understorey and bamboo in broadleaf evergreen forest. Also in mixed forest, secondary growth and rhododendron scrub. Found at 1000m to 3400m.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds on inscects, berries, seeds and other vegetable matter.
Forages on or close to the ground in pairs or small groups, sometimes together with other laughingthrushes.
Breeding
Breeding season differs throughout range. The nest is a deep cup made of dead leaves, dry grasses, moss and other dead vegetation. It's placed in a small tree, bush, sapling or hanging lianas. Lays 1 - 4 eggs.
Movements
Resident species with some altitudinal movement in the Himalayas.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2019. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World: v2019. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Avibase
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2007. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 12: Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553422
- Rasmussen, PC and JC Anderton. 2005. Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334672
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 28 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Chestnut-crowned_Laughingthrush
