Biet's Laughingthrush

Brightly-colored and long-tailed inhabitant of foothill and montane forests in Java and Sumatra (1200-2700 meters). Social, often traveling in large flocks in the forest canopy. Male is very similar to other male minivets; note extensive and contiguous red wing panel, deeper red coloration, and solid deep-black throat with no hint of gray. Female is much more distinctive, with her strawberry-red back and face. Gives a hard, metallic trill and a high, whistled “tserrri”, both which a distinctly metallic quality.

A small black hornbill with an ivory-colored bill that has a reddish smudge at the base and a knob on top. There is a pale blue pouch of skin below the bill. Males have a rich chestnut neck that becomes a darker burnt red around the face and top of the head. Females have black necks and heads. Juveniles resemble male, with a smaller bill. Confined to Sumba, where it is the only hornbill. Inhabits lowland and foothill forest and forest edge, where it frequents the treetops singly or in groups. Calls include a fast-paced, emphatic “kokokokokokok…”.

Warm brown with an ochre-colored belly and pure white throat, this laughingthrush is found in foothill forests along the Himalayas and in central China. Several other laughingthrushes also have pale throats, but none are as plain and unmarked above as White-throated. Gives high whistles, often from within cover. Common in foothill forests and edges but will also occasionally venture into parks and gardens.