Alternative names: Plain-coloured Laughingthrush; Plain Laughingthrush
- Trochalopteron subunicolor
Identification
23 - 25.5 cm (9-41 in). A medium-sized, dull laughingthrush.
- Dusky olive plumage entirely scaled with black
- Head more slaty with obscured scales
- Striking golden panels in wings and tail-sides
- Dark shortish bill
Juveniles are warmer coloured and less distinctive scales.
Similar species
Can be confused with Blue-winged Laughingthrush but lacks chestnut-and-dark wing and tail patterns of the latter.
Distribution
Found in the Himalayas from central Nepal east over Bhutan and northeast India to north Burma, southern China and extreme north Vietnam.
Common in parts of its range.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
Three subspecies recognized[1]:
- T. s. subunicolor from central Nepal to northeast India and adjacent Tibet
- T. s. griseatum in north and northeast Burma and south China (Yunnan)
- T. s. fooksi in south China (Yunnan) and northern Vietnam
This species is sometimes placed in the genus Garrulax.
Habitat
Broadleaf evergreen forest with thick undergrowth, secondary growth, bramble and rhododendron thickets, bamboo. Found from 1500m to 4000m.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds on insects, snails and berries. Also noted at flowers.
Forages on or near the ground, usually not very shy. Seen in pairs or groups of up to 10 or more birds.
Breeding
Breeding season from April to August. The nest is a cup made of grass and moss. It's placed close to the ground in a bush or sapling. Lays 3 - 4 eggs.
Movements
Resident species with some elevational movement.
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/
- 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. (2025) Scaly Laughingthrush. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 16 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Scaly_Laughingthrush
