White-crested laughing thrush

Physical features

• Large white crest.

• Their plumage is soft, loose and fluffy.

• They have strong feet and legs because they are so active on the ground.

• They have short wings relative to body size.

• They are not sexually dimorphic; males and females look alike.

Diet: Omnivore

• Wild – Primarily ground feeders, feeding on a variety of insects and other invertebrates, fruits, seeds including acorns; They forage by probing, digging and flicking with their bill.

• Zoo – Soft-bill feed, bird of prey diet, seeds, apples, grapes, raisins, crickets and mealworms

Reproduction

• Very little is known about breeding behavior.

• Nests are typically domed, rough, ball-shaped. The nest itself consist of moss and dead leaves. Access to the nest is located on the side. In zoos they will breed in nest boxes with open fronts or on wire platforms.

• The clutch is typically 3 eggs. They are oval, white and glossy.

Interpretive Information

• Family groups hold their territories throughout the year and will defend their home range from other conspecifics (birds of the same species). Outside of breeding season they may congregate in large groups.

• Considered most sociable of all the laughing thrush species.

• Sedentary behaviors have allowed these birds to develop their highly social behaviors.

• Males and females will often vocalize together.

• Laughing thrushes will display in bushes and on the forest floor. They will bounce around displaying their white crests and vocalizing loudly.

Updated March 2008