Masked Laughingthrush - BirdForum Opus

Photo by James Wang

Alternative names: Black-faced Laughingthrush; Spectacled Laughingthrush; Masked Jay-thrush

Garrulax perspicillatus

Identification

With 28 - 31.5 cm a large, striking Laughingthrush¹:

• Dull plain grey-brown above
• Greyish-buff below
• Greyish-head
• Large blackish mask

Sexes are similar. Juveniles have a fainter mask.

Distribution

E and SE China (including Hong Kong) and N Vietnam.
Common in most of its range.¹

Taxonomy

Monotypic. Sometimes placed in the new genus Dryonastes.^{1, 2}

Habitat

Found in scrub, woodland, cultivated areas, often near villages, in thickets, bamboo, reeds and hedgerows. In Hong Kong in built-up urban areas, parks, villages and farmland. Generally in lowlands up to 1000m.¹

Behaviour

Feeds on invertebrates, including grasshoppers, grubs and snails. Takes also seeds and fruit. Found in groups, often families of 6 - 12 birds. Skulking but also noisy. Forages usually on ground.
Breeding season from March to August, possibly a co-operative breeder. The nest is placed in a hedge or bush, also in bamboo, reed or grass, 1 - 9 m above ground. It's an untidy cup made of sticks, weed, grass, bamboo, leaves, sometimes paper and poultry feather. Lays 2 - 5 eggs.
Resident species.¹

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 James F. 2007. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019

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