Garrulax strepitans
The White-necked Laughingthrush (Garrulax strepitans) is a charismatic and highly vocal passerine bird, immediately recognizable by its striking plumage. Measuring approximately 28-30 cm (11-12 inches) in length and weighing between 97-123 grams, this medium-sized laughingthrush displays a predominantly sooty-brown or dark rufescent-brown body with a distinctive, broad white band encircling its neck and nape, which contrasts sharply with its blackish hood and face. Its throat and breast often...
This species primarily inhabits evergreen and mixed deciduous forests, as well as dense secondary growth. It is typically found in hilly or montane regions at elevations ranging from 400 to 1,800 meters (1,300-5,900 feet) above sea level.
Its diet primarily consists of insects and other invertebrates, including beetles, ants, and caterpillars, supplemented with fruits and seeds. Foraging is predominantly done by gleaning from leaf litter and low vegetation on the forest floor.
The White-necked Laughingthrush is a highly social and diurnal species, typically found in noisy flocks of 6 to 15 individuals, though larger groups can form outside the breeding season. These gregarious birds spend much of their time foraging on or near the ground, meticulously turning over leaf...
The White-necked Laughingthrush is widely distributed across Southeast Asia, spanning southern Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and into southern China (specifically southeastern Yunnan and southwestern Guangxi). Its breeding range covers these regions, where it is a year-round residen...
Least Concern
- The 'laughing' in their name comes from their distinctive, often cacophonous, and complex vocalizations, which can sound like a series of cackles, chattering, and ringing calls. - They are known for their cooperative breeding behavior, where not just the parents but also 'helper' birds (often s...