Alternative names: Grey-and-brown Laughingthrush; Catbird Laughingthrush
- Garrulax palliatus
Identification
With 24 to 25 cm a medium-sized Laughingthrush1, 3:
- Grey head
- Black face
- Chestnut back and wings
- Pale blue bare orbital skin
- Brown iris
- Black bill
- Black feet
Schistochlamys has less black on face, darker tail and richer chestnut-tinged flanks.
Sexes are similar.
Juveniles have grey of mantle and back mixed with brown and are generally duller.
Distribution
Endemic to Sumatra and Borneo in SE-Asia. On Sumatra found in the Barisan range, present in Gunung Leuser National Park, in Borneo from Mount Kinabalu south to Usun Apau, Dulit and Mount Mulu, present in Mount Kinabalu National Park and Kayan Mentarang National Park.1, 3
A restricted-range species, but fairly common in its range.1
Taxonomy
Two subspecies recognized1, 2:
Habitat
Moist lowland forests and montanes. Also found in secondary growth but prefers primary forest. In Sumatra from 850 - 2200m, in Borneo from 305 - 2010m.1
Behaviour
Feeds on insects, including beetles, moths and caterpillars. Takes also seeds and fruits. Usually encountered in groups of up to 12 birds, often together with other species in bird-waves (eg. Bare-headed Laughingthrush). The calls, noisy whistles and cat-like mews are often heard.
Not much information about breeding. Breeding season in Sumatra from March to April, in Borneo from December to March. Probably group territoriality. The nest is a cup of fibres.
The species is resident.1
References
- del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. and Christie, D.A. eds. 2007. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 12. Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 84-96553-42-6
- Clements James F. 2007. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019
- Mackinnon, J. and Phillipps, K. 1993. A field guide to the Birds of Borneo, Sumatra, Java and Bali. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0198540345
