Blue-crowned Laughingthrush

The Blue-crowned Laughingthrush, as its name suggests, belongs to the laughingthrush family. These birds have a diverse repertoire of calls. One of their calls sounds remarkably similar to human laughter, which is how the group got its English name.
The Blue-crowned Laughingthrush is found exclusively in a small area in southeastern China (Jiangxi Province). Before it was rediscovered in 2000, it had not been observed in its natural habitat for a long time.
The birds inhabit forests, scrubland, and clumps of trees near human settlements. They usually live in pairs, in family groups, or in loose flocks of up to 40 birds. They search noisily on the ground, in shrubs, and in trees for insects, larvae, and other invertebrates. In doing so, they turn over layers of leaves, examine tree bark for prey, and climb deftly through dense branches and vines. As insectivores, they help maintain the ecological balance of their habitat.
During the breeding season from April to July, the birds build bowl-shaped nests out of twigs and grasses, which are usually located several meters high in trees. Not only the parents, but sometimes other group members as well—such as juveniles from earlier broods—help care for the young birds and defend the brood.
The Blue-crowned Laughingthrush was once captured in large numbers for the pet trade. Today, the few remaining breeding areas are primarily threatened by habitat loss, road and residential construction, and disturbances caused by tourism and human activities.

Distribution