White-crested laughing thrush
Conservation Messaging Opportunities
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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.
Range and Habitat
Range – South-east Asia
Habitat – Forests that are rich in bamboo
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
Lifespan
Wild – unknown
Zoo – 15 yrs
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.
Conservation: Least Concern
Major threats: Habitat loss, Pet trade
The species is described as 'uncommon' in at least parts of its range.
Ongoing deforestation within its range may pose a threat, and it is commonly found in cage bird trade.
Global population trends have not been quantified, but, despite potential threats, the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List.
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.
References
BirdLife International. (2007). Garrulax leucolophus. Retrieved March 21, 2008, from the 2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Web site: http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/52638/summ.
White-crested Laughing Thrush (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2004, from the National Aviary Web site: http://www.aviary.org/brd/meet_oriental.php?bird=69
Grzimek, B. (Ed.) (1968). Grzimek’s Animal Life Encyclopedia (English ed., Vol. 9, p. 243). Van Nostrand Reinhold Company.
Updated March 2008