Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush
Ianthocincla rufogularis
Predominantly brown, but with exquisitely intricate patterning and coloration upon closer inspection. In particular, note pale lores, black crown, extensive black tips to the body feathers, and orange chin and cheeks. Favors broadleaf forest and forest edge with dense understory. Forages on or near the ground, usually in pairs or small groups. Song is a loud, whistled burst of notes along the lines of “wee-cheer-wee!”
Identification
This mid-sized laughingthrush is found along the Himalayas and can be identified by the combination of the black cap and band on the brown tail. The underparts are greyish while the upperparts have scale like feather patterning. A distinctive pale loreal patch of buff colour and a broad dark moustachial stripe which borders the rufous chin and ear coverts are identifying features.<p>There is however considerable geographic variation in plumage. The western population (occidentalis of western and central Himalayas) being greyer and paler making the dark patterns stand out in greater contrast. The eastern populations assamensis have a paler throat and the markings on the throat are much less marked. The populations in Meghalaya (rufitincta) has an orange wash on the underside from the throat to the belly.<p>It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, Tibet and Vietnam. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Taxonomy
The rufous-chinned laughingthrush was described by the English ornithologist and bird artist John Gould in 1835 from a specimen obtained in the Himalayas. He coined the binomial name Ianthocincla rufogularis. The type locality was restricted to the state of Sikkim in northeast India by Stuart Baker in 1920. This laughingthrush was normally placed in the genus Garrulax but following the publication of a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic study in 2018, the genus Ianthocincla was resurrected and rufous-chinned laughingthrush was returned to its original genus.<p>Six subspecies are recognised:
- Scientific name
- Ianthocincla rufogularis
- Authority
- Gould, 1835
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Leiothrichidae
- Genus
- Ianthocincla
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Sheppardia cyornithopsis
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Green-backed Honeybird
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Small and incredibly nondescript honeyguide. Note the small, sharp bill and the white outer tail feathers. Found along forest edge and in broadleaf woodland, especially miombo. Generally uncommon and inconspicuous, though it will join mixed flocks with other bird species. Vocalizations are a quick series of “jyet” notes and an explosive “skyeat” given in flight. Very similar to Wahlberg’s Honeyguide, but has an olive-green rather than brown back. Separated from other honeyguides by its small bill.
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