Malaysian Birds - Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush

Size & diagnostic markings:- 24 Cm. This is the most common among the three species seen locally. Measuring only 24 cm., the bird appear slim. This bird looks grayish with a prominent chestnut crown and the under tail in rufous-chestnut color. Then there is the white eye ring which give the bird the new name and the orange-yellow bill which is diagnostic.

This Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush is 24 cm long originates from Sumatra and a very common resident of the Malaysian sub-montane forest.

A new genus "Rhinocichla" would be started for this bird and the designation of Rhinocichla mitrata or Spectacled Laughingthrush would be used. One point very special about the bird is its continuous and reassuring calls that there are birds around and hidden within the dense forest. Then the group of birds, fearlessly moving across the foliages and confirming the presence of bird life at that point of time. Unlike the other two Laughingthrushes mentioned on this page, this species is hardly seen moving in low level though there are times they were seen in the lower storey but I had never witness them foraging on the ground.

Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush's picture No. 1

Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush's picture No. 2

Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush's picture No. 3

 Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush's picture No. 4

Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush's picture No. 5

Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush's picture No. 6

Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush's picture No. 7

Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush's picture No. 8

Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush's picture No. 9

Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush's picture No. 10

I need not elaborate on the sighting of this birds further as they are readily available. I wish I could get more information to identify the females and the juveniles.