The spot-breasted laughingthrush is a species of bird in the family Leiothrichidae. It is found in Yunnan, Northeast India, Laos, Myanmar, north-west Thailand, and northern Vietnam. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Region
Southeast Asia and southern China
Typical Environment
This species inhabits subtropical and tropical moist forests, from dense lowland evergreen to montane broadleaf and mixed bamboo thickets. It favors tangled undergrowth, forest edges, secondary growth, and scrubby hillsides near woodland. Birds often keep close to the ground or mid-understory, weaving through vines and shrubs. It occurs from northeastern India and Myanmar through Laos, northwestern Thailand, northern Vietnam, and into Yunnan in southern China.
Altitude Range
200–2400 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Named for its laughing, bubbling chorus, the spot-breasted laughingthrush is often heard before it is seen in dense undergrowth. It forages in small, noisy parties and sometimes joins mixed-species flocks. Secretive habits and a preference for thick vegetation can make visual encounters brief.
Temperament
secretive but social
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between cover
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups that move low through dense vegetation. It may join mixed-species flocks when foraging. Nests are typically cup-shaped and placed low in shrubs or thickets, with both parents involved in care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A loud, laughing series of bubbling chuckles and whistles, often delivered antiphonally by pairs. Groups may chorus at dawn and dusk, carrying far through forested valleys.
