Pterorhinus ruficollis
The Rufous-necked Laughingthrush (Pterorhinus ruficollis) is a vibrant and vocal member of the Leiothrichidae family, captivating birders with its distinctive plumage and gregarious nature. Averaging 23-26 cm in length and weighing around 50-70 grams, this medium-sized babbler boasts a striking rufous-chestnut neck and nape, contrasting with its olive-grey to brownish upperparts and paler underparts. A prominent black mask extends from the lores through the eye, bordered by white or pale grey...
Found primarily in subtropical and tropical moist montane forests, favoring dense undergrowth, bamboo thickets, and secondary growth at elevations typically between 900 and 2600 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, consuming beetles, ants, larvae, and other invertebrates, supplemented with berries, seeds, and fruits.
Rufous-necked Laughingthrushes are highly social, typically observed in flocks of 6-20 individuals, often joining mixed-species foraging parties. They are diurnal, spending much of the day actively foraging on or near the forest floor, scratching through leaf litter with their strong legs and bil...
The Rufous-necked Laughingthrush has a broad distribution across the Himalayan foothills and Southeast Asia. Its breeding range extends from central Nepal eastward through Bhutan, northeast India (including Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland), northern Bangladesh, and into northern Myanmar. ...
Least Concern
- The Rufous-necked Laughingthrush was historically placed in the genus Garrulax, but phylogenetic studies led to its reclassification into Pterorhinus, reflecting a deeper understanding of babbler relationships. - Its common name derives directly from its distinctive, often loud and bubbling voc...