Thai National Parks

The red-tailed laughingthrush (Trochalopteron milnei) is a species of bird in the family Leiothrichidae.

Subspecies

Subspecies include:

• Trochalopteron milnei milnei David, 1874 (NW Fujian, in SE China)
• Trochalopteron milnei sharpei Rippon, 1901 (N & E Myanmar, NW Thailand, N & C Laos, NW Vietnam, and S. China (W, S & SE Yunnan, W Guangxi).
• Trochalopteron milnei sinianum Stresemann, 1930 (SE China (SE Sichuan, N Guizhou, C & NE Guangxi, S. Hunan, N. Guangdong).
• Trochalopteron milnei vitryi (Delacour, 1932) (S. Laos, Vietnam)

Description

Trochalopteron milnei can reach a body length of about 26 - 28 cm and a weight of about 66 - 93 g. These medium-sized laughingthrushes are dull ochrous-grey, with a bright rufous-chestnut crown and a blackish face, with whitish ear-coverts. Wings and tail are crimson.

Distribution and habitat

This species can be found in China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. These birds mainly inhabit the uderstorey of broadleaf evergreen forests,

They are strictly montane, usually living at an elevation of 1800 - 2500 m above sea level.

Behaviour

This species mainly feed on insects and small arthropods (beetles, centipedes, etc.), but also on berries and fruits (especially of Saurauja species). The breeding season lasts from April to June. The nest is made by both male and female and consists of a tidy cup mailnly made of grasses and bamboo leaves. It is built at about 1 m above the ground level. Females lay 2-3 eggs, that are incubated for 17-18 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and leave the nest in 14-16 days

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