The rufous-necked laughingthrush is a bird species in the laughingthrush family, Leiothrichidae. It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar and Nepal, where its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. Little study was done on this species due to its abundance and lack of interest in its conservation.
Region
Eastern Himalayas and northern Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs from the Himalayan foothills of Nepal, Bhutan, and northeastern India east through Bangladesh and Myanmar into southern China. Prefers subtropical and tropical moist lowland and montane forests with thick undergrowth. It readily uses secondary growth, forest edges, bamboo thickets, and scrubby ravines. In some areas it also ventures into tea estates and wooded farmland, provided dense cover is available.
Altitude Range
0–2500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
A member of the laughingthrush family (Leiothrichidae), it is named for its rich, chuckling chorus often delivered in duets or small groups. It spends much of its time skulking in dense undergrowth, where it forages on or near the ground. By consuming insects and fruits, it helps control invertebrate populations and disperses seeds. Despite being locally common, it is often overlooked due to its secretive habits.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, direct dashes through dense cover
Social Behavior
Typically moves in pairs or small, noisy parties that keep contact with frequent calls. Nests are placed low in shrubs or bamboo, with both parents participating in care. Groups may join mixed-species flocks at forest edges, especially outside the breeding season.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A rich, bubbling series of chuckles and whistles, often delivered antiphonally by a pair. Calls can build into a lively chorus that carries through forest undergrowth.
Plumage
Warm brown body with a distinct rufous collar around the neck, a greyer head, and paler underparts. The tail is long and graduated, often with slightly richer chestnut tones toward the edges. Feathers appear smooth and close, aiding a sleek, rounded outline in the thickets.
Diet
Forages for beetles, ants, caterpillars, and other small invertebrates, supplemented by berries, soft fruits, and seeds. It occasionally takes small snails or other ground-dwelling prey. Seasonal fruiting influences its intake of plant material, with more insects taken during the breeding season.
Preferred Environment
Feeds on or near the ground in dense shrubs, bamboo, and thickets within moist forests. Often follows edges, trails, and clearings where leaf-litter invertebrates are accessible.
