Alternative names: Austen's Laughingthrush; Yellow-bellied Laughingthrush
- Pterorhinus galbanus
Garrulax galbanus
Identification
23–24·5 cm (9-9¾ in). A rather small laughingthrush, superficially similar to Rufous-vented Laughingthrush:
- Black mask (including chin) and bill
- Olive-brown above with grey crown
- Entirely yellow below
- Grey tail with broad blackish subterminal band and broad white outer tips
Sexes similar. Juveniles are warmer brown and have white upperparts with only little yellow
Similar species
Generally smaller and slimmer, with a shorter bill, paler crown and mantle than Rufous-vented Laughingthrush. Note also the different tail.
Distribution
From northeast India to Burma and southeast Bangladesh.
Not uncommon in parts of India.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
It formerly included Blue-crowned Laughingthrush. This species is also sometimes placed in the genus Ianthocincla, or in Dryonastes.
Habitat
Tall grass mixed with trees and shrubs, open areas of dense broadleaf evergreen forest and open forest. Found at 610 - 1300m in India.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds on insects and small seeds.
Usually seen in pairs or small groups (sometimes big flocks of up to 80 birds), often together with Rufous-necked Laughingthrush.
Breeding
Breeding season from April to June. They nest in cup-shaped nests of twigs and plant fibres. 2-4 eggs are laid and are incubated by both parents for 13 days.
Movements
Resident species. The Chinese population disappears after breeding, maybe doing short-distance movements.
References
- 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
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2018. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. Downloaded from http://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
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2021) Yellow-throated Laughingthrush. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 14 May 2021 from https://www.birdforum.net/wiki/Yellow-throated_Laughingthrush
