Spotted Laughingthrush Ianthocincla ocellata Scientific name definitions

30–33 cm; 104–136 g. Very large dark-capped laughingthrush with scaly pattern. Nominate race has crown to nape matt-black, neck side, mantle, back and scapulars greyish-buff with broad black subterminal bars and whitish terminal tips (giving black-and-white spotted effect), posterior upperparts and upperwing-coverts dull rufous-chestnut with same spotting effect; tertials dull rufous-chestnut with blackish-edged white tips, flight-feathers edged pale grey (pale wingpanel); central tail feathers dull rufous-chestnut with black tips, outer tail feathers dull rufous-chestnut basally, dull pale grey on mid-length, blackish subterminally and with broad white tips; lores, base of submoustachial area and broad supercilium pale rusty-rufous, ear-coverts, cheek and lower submoustachial area dull rufous-chestnut, neck side buffy tan with underlying black-and-white scaling; chin buffy ochre, throat to upper breast matt-black, upper breast feathers with long dull whitish to buffy tips (creating scaly effect), this pattern contiguous with neck side and continuing weakly down upper flanks, the tips broadening on lower breast so that rest of underparts plain buffy ochre, warmer on flanks; iris yellowish-white to yellowish; upper mandible brown, lower mandible bluish-white; legs flesh-white. Differs from similar G. maximus in having crown uniform black, lores chestnut-rufous, ear-coverts dark chestnut, cheek to chin and throat black, breast with black-and-whitish scaling, mantle and neck sides more rufescent, tail more square-ended. Sexes similar. Juvenile has head browner than adult, white spots on upperparts smaller, absent on rump and uppertail-coverts, throat browner with less sharp edgings. Race griseicauda is like nominate but has more grey in tail; maculipectus has buffier supercilium and paler, rufous-chestnut ear-coverts, rufous colour extending to submoustachial area, more buff and fewer white spots on upperparts; <em>artemisiae</em> is like last, but almost lacks supercilium and has black ear-coverts (joining black on throat) with pale area behind, narrower and more extensive blackish barring below.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Undergrowth in high-elevation forest, light open mixed forest with undergrowth, thick rhododendron scrub and bushes bordering fields; at 2135–3660 m, rarely to 4100 m, and in China down to 1100 m. In Bhutan, mainly 2800–3200 m and favouring fir forest in summer; in winter, uses wider range of conifer habitats, including blue pine forest, down to 2200 m.

Resident; winter dispersal to lower elevations reported from Bhutan.

Insects, fruit and seeds; diet appears almost entirely vegetarian, but nestlings fed with insects. Inconspicuous. Keeps in pairs and in small family parties of 3–8 individuals; often associates with Trochalopteron affine. Forages on ground and in bushes.

Song consists of repeated rich mellow fluty phrases, e.g. “wu-it, wu-u, wu-u, wi-u, wi-u”, “w’you, w’you, uu-i, w’you, uu’i” and “w’you, uu-wi’ii, uwa”; alternatively as mellow, leisurely, descending “fweér-fweér-fwúr-fwúr”, and more strongly modulated “fuwééó-fuwééú-fúu” or “fuwit-fuwéét, fuwit-fuwéét”; often joined by more jarring, rising “fu’u’uwheen!” (first part slightly tremulous, second more nasal) from presumed females during duets. Calls include repeated, strident, screechy, guttural upslurred “schúwéé!”.

May–Jun in India and Tibet. Nest reportedly a large, loose cup, made of twigs, dry grasses, bamboo leaves, roots, moss and ferns, lined with rootlets, placed within 2 m of ground in bush, small tree or clump of ferns and grass. Clutch at least 2 eggs, delicate pale blue or deep blue-green, sometimes few chocolate-brown specks. No information on incubation and nest­ling periods. Nestlings may leave nest long before full-grown.

Not globally threatened. Fairly common in Nepal, including in Langtang National Park. Frequent in Bhutan, but usually singly or with very few together. Fairly common in India, where present in and/or near Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, in Arunachal Pradesh. Fairly common in N Myanmar and in China.