The blue-crowned laughingthrush or Courtois's laughingbird is a species of bird in the family Leiothrichidae. It is now found only in Jiangxi, China. Until recently, this critically endangered species was generally treated as a subspecies of the yellow-throated laughingthrush, but that species has a pale grey crown.
Region
East China
Typical Environment
Now restricted to a few sites along riparian woodlands, secondary scrub, and traditional orchards near villages, especially along river corridors in northeastern Jiangxi. It uses forest edges, bamboo thickets, tea gardens, and orchards with dense understory for cover. The species favors mosaic, human-influenced landscapes with scattered trees and shrubs. Nesting typically occurs in dense bushes or low trees close to water and cultivated areas.
Altitude Range
50–500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Also called Courtois's laughingthrush, this babbler is famous for its chorus of ringing, laughing calls delivered by tight-knit groups. It survives in only a few riverine valleys in Jiangxi, China, with intensive conservation and captive-breeding programs supporting its recovery. It was long treated as a subspecies of the yellow-throated laughingthrush but is separable by its distinctly bluish-grey crown. The species often forages around villages and orchards, benefiting from traditional landscapes.
Temperament
social and noisy
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low and undulating flights between cover
Social Behavior
Typically found in cohesive groups that forage and move together, often engaging in cooperative vigilance. Pairs may breed with help from group members, placing cup nests low in dense shrubs or small trees. Clutches are small, and groups defend territories along riverine edges and orchards.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A rich series of ringing, laughing notes delivered antiphonally by multiple birds, creating a loud chorus. Calls include chuckles, scolds, and whistles used for contact and alarm.
