Trochalopteron milnei
The Red-tailed Laughingthrush, *Trochalopteron milnei*, is a visually stunning and vocally expressive passerine bird, instantly recognizable by its vivid crimson-red tail. Measuring approximately 26-28 cm in length and weighing around 78-85 grams, it sports a dark, often blackish head, frequently highlighted by a contrasting white supercilium or cheek patch depending on the subspecies. Its body plumage is generally greyish, becoming darker on the back and wings, which also bear distinctive re...
This species primarily inhabits subtropical and tropical moist montane broadleaf evergreen forests, often favoring areas with dense undergrowth, bamboo thickets, or secondary growth, typically at elevations between 900 and 2400 meters.
Their diet is omnivorous, consisting mainly of insects such as beetles, ants, and caterpillars, supplemented significantly by berries, fruits, and seeds, which they glean from vegetation or pick from the ground.
The Red-tailed Laughingthrush is a diurnal species, often encountered foraging on or near the forest floor, rummaging through leaf litter or low vegetation. They typically forage in small, cohesive groups or pairs, sometimes joining larger mixed-species flocks, displaying a social, yet often elus...
The Red-tailed Laughingthrush is a resident species distributed across the montane regions of Southeast Asia. Its primary range extends through southern China, encompassing provinces such as Yunnan, Guangxi, Guizhou, and Sichuan, and also reaches into northern Vietnam, northern Laos, and northeas...
Least Concern
- The 'laughing' in their name comes from their distinctive, often boisterous and complex vocalizations that can sound like chattering laughter. - Its striking crimson-red tail is not just beautiful but also likely serves as a visual signal within its dense forest habitat. - Red-tailed Laughingth...