Spotted laughingthrush

The spotted laughingthrush is a bird species in the family Leiothrichidae. It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, and Nepal. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

Loading map...

Distribution

Region

Himalayas and southwestern China

Typical Environment

Occurs from the eastern Himalayas through Bhutan, northeastern India, Nepal, and Myanmar into south-central and southwestern China. It favors dense undergrowth within subtropical and tropical moist montane forests, especially rhododendron, bamboo, and oak-laden slopes. Often kept close to cover, it uses thickets and forest edges to move and feed. In winter it may descend slightly to lower elevations where food is more abundant.

Altitude Range

1500–3600 m

Climate Zone

Highland

Characteristics

Size25–28 cm

Wing Span34–38 cm

Male Weight0.09 kg

Female Weight0.085 kg

Life Expectancy6 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 2/5

Useful to know

Named for its bubbling, chuckling song, the spotted laughingthrush often calls in lively choruses that carry through montane forests. It forages in small groups, frequently joining mixed-species flocks, and is adept at scratching through leaf litter for prey. Birds may shift elevation seasonally, following food and weather within their mountainous range.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

social and skulking

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats, low flights between cover

Social Behavior

Commonly found in pairs or small family groups and frequently joins mixed-species foraging flocks. Nests are cup-shaped and placed low in shrubs or dense tangles. Pairs are monogamous during the breeding season and defend small territories near nest sites.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Rich, laughing phrases delivered in bubbling series, often antiphonal between mates or group members. Calls include clear whistles and chattering notes that can build into lively choruses at dawn and dusk.

Unlock detailed bird insights with Pro access today.

Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

Spotted nightjar

The spotted nightjar or spotted eared-nightjar is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae. It inhabits much of mainland Australia and has also been found in several Indonesian islands. Its natural habitats are open forests and woodlands, scrub, spinifex and tussock grassland, savannah woodland and mangroves.

Spotted owl

The spotted owl is a species of true owl. It is a resident species of old-growth forests in western North America, where it nests in tree hollows, old bird of prey nests, or rock crevices. Nests can be between 12 and 60 metres high and usually contain two eggs. It is a nocturnal owl which feeds on small mammals and birds. Three subspecies are recognized, ranging in distribution from British Columbia to Mexico. The spotted owl is under pressure from habitat destruction throughout its range, and is currently classified as a near-threatened species.

Spotted owlet

The spotted owlet is a small owl which breeds in tropical Asia from North Pakistan to Southeast Asia. A common resident of open habitats including farmland and human habitation, it has adapted to living in cities. They roost in small groups in the hollows of trees or in cavities in rocks and buildings. It nests in a hole in a tree or building, laying 3–5 eggs. The species shows great variation including clinal variation in size and forms a superspecies with the very similar little owl.

Spotted palm thrush

The spotted palm thrush, also known as the spotted morning-thrush, is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family. They are small birds mostly consisting of the colors brown, black, and cream. They can be found in eastern African countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Their natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, dry savanna, and subtropical or tropical moist shrubland. This bird is a forager that has a diet consisting of invertebrates. These birds create a variety of different vocal duets as a form of communication.

Spotted pardalote

The spotted pardalote is a small passerine bird native to eastern and southern Australia, at elevations of up to 2,000 metres (6,600 ft). It is part of the pardalote family, Pardalotidae. One of the smallest of all Australian birds at 8 to 10 centimetres in length, and one of the most colourful; it is sometimes known as the diamondbird. Although moderately common in all of the reasonably fertile parts of Australia it is seldom seen closely enough to enable identification.