While this is a predominantly gray laughingthrush, the black mask, brownish throat, and white patch behind the ear are all more eye-catching. Overall coloration is similar to that of Black-throated Laughingthrush but note pale eyebrow connected to small white ear patch, and that the black mask does not extend down to the upper breast. Highly social; found in medium-sized and large flocks, which give cacophonous laughing calls as they forage in the undergrowth of lowland and foothill broadleaved forests.