Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrush Rhinocichla treacheri is an abundant and common endemic of the montane forests of Borneo.
It occurs commonly in flocks at Kinabalu Park Headquarters, along all the trails there, also at Masilau. It is also common in Rafflesia Forest Reserve around Rafflesia Information Centre. Of all the three laughingthrushes in Borneo, which are incidentally all montane, this is the most likely to be seen. Often foraging in mixed feeding flocks working their way in the lower and middle storeys of the forest. Sometimes can be approached closely as they work busily through the thick growth of ferns or hushes along the disturbed edge of the forest.
Previously as Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush Garrulax mitratus, with G. m. treacheri in Sabah, G. m. griswoldi (richer chestnut on undertail coverts) on G. Timbang, Sabah and G. m. damnatus (less streaking on duller breast) elsewhere in Borneo.
Collar, N. J. & Robson, C. in Handbook of the Birds of the World, 12 (2007), split this from Rhinocichla (Garrulax) mitratus, the justification was: 'differs from ... mitratus in having narial feathering, lores and superciliary area slightly paler, clearer chestnut, eyering only on lower and rear edge of eye and bright yellow (not white), chestnut of ear-coverts extending toward nape, feathers of forecrown greayer, upper malar and chin chestnut, upperparts purer grey, underparts paler ochrous with vague pale shaft streaks,' with some evidence that song in treacheri consists of more notes.
This is taken in Kinabalu Park, lower rear eyering is evident.
Happy birding.
Great catch.
ReplyDeletethis is a great shot/pose
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