The white-crested laughingthrush is a member of the family Leiothrichidae. It is a highly social and vocal bird found in forest and scrub from the Himalayan foothills to Southeast Asia.
Region
Himalayan foothills to Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs from the Himalayan foothills of Nepal and northern India east through Bangladesh and Myanmar into southern China and Indochina, extending to Peninsular Malaysia. It favors forest edges, secondary forests, scrub, bamboo thickets, and overgrown clearings. The species readily uses disturbed habitats and gardens near forest. In some urban areas of Southeast Asia it persists in parks with dense shrubbery. Local introduced populations exist in a few cities.
Altitude Range
0–1800 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Highly social, white-crested laughingthrushes move in cohesive, noisy flocks that often vocalize in chorus, giving the species its name. They practice cooperative breeding, with helpers assisting the breeding pair. Adaptable and bold, they frequent forest edges and secondary growth and can become locally common near human habitation. Escaped cage birds have established small introduced populations in some cities in Southeast Asia.
Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary, East Sikkim district, Sikkim, India.
Pair of White-crested-Laughingthrush in Nepal
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically found in cohesive flocks of 6–12 birds that move low through understory and thickets. They are cooperative breeders, with non-breeding helpers assisting with feeding and defense. Nests are cup-shaped and placed in dense shrubs or low trees.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Loud, rollicking choruses of cackles, chuckles, and bubbling laughs delivered by several flock members at once. Also gives scolding chatters and whistles used to keep contact in dense cover.
Plumage
Clean white head and throat with a tall, forward-tilted crest; contrasting black mask through the eyes; warm brown upperparts with rufous-brown wings and tail; underparts white grading to buffy-rufous flanks.
Diet
Omnivorous, taking insects, beetles, caterpillars, and other small invertebrates gleaned from foliage and the ground. Also consumes fruits, berries, and seeds, and will sample nectar or soft plant matter when available. Forages methodically, often with several flock members searching different layers of the understory. Occasionally turns leaf litter and probes bark crevices.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in dense shrubbery, bamboo thickets, forest edges, and secondary growth, often close to the ground or in low vegetation. Readily visits fruiting shrubs and small trees at forest margins and in gardens.
