Red-tailed Laughingthrush

Overview

The red-tailed laughingthrush (Trochalopteron milnei) is a species of bird in the laughingthrush family Leiothrichidae. It inhabits montane forests across Myanmar, Laos, southern China, and central Vietnam, and is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Overall length of 26–28 cm with a weight of 66–93 g.
• Dull ochrous-grey body featuring a bright rufous-chestnut crown and a blackish face with whitish ear-coverts.
• Wings and tail are crimson.
• Sexes are similar in appearance.

Habitat

This strictly montane species lives in the understorey of broadleaf evergreen forests. It is found in China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, typically at elevations between 1,800 and 2,500 metres above sea level.

Diet

The bird mainly feeds on insects and small arthropods, such as beetles and centipedes, but also consumes berries and fruits, especially from Saurauia species.

Did you know?

The genus name Trochalopteron combines the Ancient Greek words for 'round' or 'bowed' and 'wing', while the specific epithet milnei honours the French zoologist Alphonse Milne-Edwards.