Ashambu Laughingthrush
Montecincla meridionalis
This is the only montane laughingthrush in its range and hence unmistakable. From forehead to nape it is pale brown with indistinct gray streaking. Short whitish eyebrow does not extend prominently behind the eye. Upperparts cold gray-brown, wings and tail browner; chin and breast whitish with broad gray streaking, central belly and vent white, flanks and sides of vent rufous-chestnut. Inhabits stunted montane and reed-bamboo forests; seen in pairs or noisy flocks, producing a melodious “pee-koo-pee-koo” song and several other chatters intermingled with musical notes. Heard more often than seen; its songs and calls are usually the first indication of its presence.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Montecincla meridionalis
- Authority
- (Blanford, 1880)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Leiothrichidae
- Genus
- Montecincla
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Blue-crowned Parakeet
Thectocercus acuticaudatus
Bright green bird with blue crown and face, distinct white eyering and long, pointed tail. Native to lowland dry forest and scrub in South America; introduced to urban areas in south Florida, California, and Honolulu, Hawaii. Often seen in small flocks; can travel large distances between roosts and feeding areas. Listen for high-pitched grating calls.
Black-collared Apalis
Oreolais pulcher
A slim, pretty, long-tailed member of the cisticola family with gray upperparts and mostly white underparts, a black chest band, and rufous flanks. Found in the understory and along the edges of montane forest. Usually in pairs or small groups, readily joining mixed flocks. Not known to overlap in range with Rwenzori Apalis, and differs by having a white rather than buffy throat, and white in the outer tail. Has a black chest band like Black-capped Apalis, but separated by many details, including the gray back and rufous flanks. Vocalizations include a ringing “svink” and a lower “veet” which are often given in duet by a pair.
Golden-crested Myna
Ampeliceps coronatus
Unmistakable glossy black bird with a dash of bright yellow on the head and wings. Male has more extensive yellow on the head than the female. Inhabits lowland to foothill evergreen forests where it forages in pairs or small flocks up in the canopy. Look out for their flashing yellow wing patches as they move between trees. Like other mynas and starlings, gives a variety of gurgles, croaks, and high-pitched fluid notes.
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