White-crested Laughingthrush

Garrulax leucolophus

From the jungles of Southeast Asia, this charismatic bird lives up to its name with its distinctive white crest and infectious, bubbling calls that sound remarkably like human laughter.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The White-crested Laughingthrush is a striking bird with a distinctive white crest atop its head. Its body is primarily chestnut-brown, with a black mask extending from the beak through the eyes, contrasting sharply with its white throat and cheeks.

The wings and tail display a deeper, rufous tone. Males and females are mostly similar, with females having smaller crests, duller mantles and greyer napes. Juveniles show a duller version of adult plumage and a less prominent crest.

Size

Length

27cm to 31cm

Wingspan

35cm to 40cm

Weight

90g to 130g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

White Brown

Secondary Colour

Black Rufous

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The White-crested Laughingthrush can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The White-crested Laughingthrush is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The White-crested Laughingthrush is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The White-crested Laughingthrush is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The White-crested Laughingthrush is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The White-crested Laughingthrush is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The White-crested Laughingthrush is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The White-crested Laughingthrush is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The White-crested Laughingthrush is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The White-crested Laughingthrush can be found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The White-crested Laughingthrush is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The White-crested Laughingthrush is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

White-crested Laughingthrushes inhabit tropical and subtropical broadleaf forests, favouring areas with dense undergrowth and bamboo thickets.

Their range extends from the eastern Himalayas through Southeast Asia, including parts of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and southern China. They have been successfully introduced to Singapore.

These birds are typically found in lowland and hill forests, adapting well to secondary growth and forest edges. They maintain year-round territories and do not migrate.

Elevation Range

Up to 2,720 meters

Climate zones

Tropical, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a White-crested Laughingthrush. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons