White-whiskered Laughingthrush
Trochalopteron morrisonianum
Extraordinarily plumaged songbird with white facial markings that lend it an almost comical whiskered appearance. Brown overall, with accents of yellow, buff, purple, plum, blue, and orange throughout the plumage. Inhabits montane forest edge with dense shrubbery or grassy cover, but often emerges out onto roadsides and paths to forage, often crossing the road close to vehicles. Moves in noisy flocks or in pairs, giving soft contact calls and harsh rattling and whistling calls when alarmed. Song, a melodic tinkling, is simple but pleasant.
Identification
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).<p>It is a sociable species that often occurs in large groups. It is not necessarily afraid of humans.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Trochalopteron morrisonianum
- Authority
- Ogilvie-Grant, 1906
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Leiothrichidae
- Genus
- Trochalopteron
Range and habitat
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.
- Migration
- Resident species
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.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Gray finch-like bird with an oddly elongated bill. It is only found in boulder fields and other rocky areas of the high Andes, usually above treeline. Females are browner than males, and young birds are faintly streaked. Long bill and white smudge below eye distinguish it from Plumbeous Sierra Finch. Always found on or near rocks, and often perches with its head tilted upward.
Forbes's Plover
Thinornis forbesi
Pretty plover that is found in both wet and dry habitats. Note the black cap, gray forehead, white stripe behind the eye, and two black bands across the breast. In flight, shows a small amount of white on the trailing edge of the wings and the corners of the tail. Found in a variety of open habitats, such as short grassland (including recently burned areas), cultivation, and muddy wetland edges. At least partially migratory. The call is a plaintive “treeow” which is sometimes given in a rolling series. Very similar to Three-banded Plover, but separated by the dark gray rather than pale forehead, and by the thicker lower breast band.
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A handsome, generally uncommon, and rather shy duck of quiet vegetated lakes, forested rivers, and marshy wetlands; no similar species in range. Usually found in pairs or family groups, sometimes associating with other ducks but as often slightly separate. Sexes look alike with a bold white face patch (“spectacle”), a white collar, and orange legs. The large purplish or bronzy wing panel is often hidden when swimming (an old name for this bird was Bronze-winged Duck).
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