- Trochalopteron variegatum
Garrulax variegatus
Identification
24 - 26cm (9½-10¼ in). A medium-sized olive and buffy laughingthrush
- Broad pale moustachial to malar area between dark mask and black throat-stripe
- Black tail with broad grey subterminal band
- Pale eye and forehead
- Short white post-ocular streak
- Rufous belly, vent and greater secondary coverts
- Black primary coverts
Juveniles have less distinct pattern and are warmer-tinged overall.
Variation
Birds in Afghanistan (nuristani) are greyer overall.
Distribution
Himalayas from Afghanistan over Pakistan and India to Nepal and adjacent Tibet (China).
Taxonomy
Placed in genus Garrulax by some authorities.
Subspecies
Clements accepts three subspecies[1]:
- T. v. nuristani in northeastern Afghanistan
- T. v. simile in northern and northeastern Pakistan east to northern India (northern Himachal Pradesh)
- T. v. variegatum in northern India (southern Himachal Pradesh east to Uttarakhand), east central Nepal, and adjacent southern China (extreme southern Xizang)
Habitat
Open forest (fir, birch or oak) with dense rhododendron and bamboo or bushes. Also in dwarf rhododenron at or above the tree-line or in dense jungle. In winter often in open willow groves, occasionally in gardens.
Found from 1800m to 2400m, in winter down to 1000m during extreme winter weather.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds on insects, fruit and berries.
Breeding
During breeding season found in pairs, otherwise in groups of up to 20 birds. Forages on the ground or in bushes, usually not shy.
Breeding season from April to August. The nest is a untidy, compact, shallow cup, made of grasses, dead leaves, roots, birch bark, twigs and moss. It's placed in a bush, small tree or on a low branch of a large tree. Lays 2 - 5 eggs.
Movements
Resident species with some altitudinal movements.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2021. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2021. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Rasmussen, PC and JC Anderton. 2005. Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334672
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2007. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 12: Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553422
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Variegated Laughingthrush. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 2 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Variegated_Laughingthrush
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.
