Kingdom Animalia Order Passeriformes Genus Garrulax Phylum Chordata | Class Aves Family Leiothrichidae Scientific name Garrulax morrisonianus Rank Species | |
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Similar Taiwan barwing, Taiwan yuhina, White‑eared sibia, Garrulax, Steere's liocichla | ||
White whiskered laughingthrush garrulax morrisonianus
The white-whiskered laughingthrush or Formosan laughing thrush (Garrulax morrisonianus) is a species of bird in the family Leiothrichidae. It is endemic to montane forests of the island of Taiwan.
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White whiskered laughingthrush
Description
White-whiskered laughingthrush is a large (26 to 28 cm (10 to 11 in) long) laughingthrush with a distinctive face pattern. The bill is thrush-like and yellowish to horn-colored. The eyes are black. The legs are strong and brownish pink. The mean body weight is about 77 grams (2.7 oz).
It is a sociable species that often occurs in large groups. It is not necessarily afraid of humans.
Habitat and ecology
The species occurs at elevations between 1,475 and 3,300 m (4,839 and 10,827 ft) above sea level, but typically above 2000 m, in tall grass, forest undergrowth, thickets, and forest edge scrub. It can enter open areas by roadsides and in forest clearings. In the Yushan National Park, it was more abundant in mixed coniferous forest than in grassland, pine woodland, or spruce forest; along with Taiwan fulvetta (Fulvetta formosana) and Taiwan yuhina (Yuhina brunneiceps), it was a dominant species in that habitat. It is a ground omnivore.
Conservation
White-whiskered laughingthrush is a somewhat common species in Taiwan, with an estimated population size between 10,000 and 100,000 breeding pairs. Although its population is believed to be decreasing because of habitat destruction and fragmentation, it is not considered a vulnerable species.