Skip to main content
Today is World Environment Day!
Close

Black-faced Laughingthrush

Trochalopteron affine bethelae

Photo by SukanyaDatta
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

27.0824, 88.7007

Field Notes

Description:

Fearless bird that lets you approach close. Forages on the ground. Fairly large size. Attractive colouration with stripes on the wings, a scaly look on the chest and two white patches on the chin and side of head.

Habitat:

Neora Valley National Park, West Bengal, India. It spreads over 88 km² and is one of the richest biological zones in the entire Eastern India. Interestingly on the trail...we saw NOTHING. All bird sightings were in the open area adjoining the security camp from where the trail starts. A friend who sat here saw many more bird species (and why not...the security personnel string up dead rodents to attract magpies!)...we who trekked only saw bamboo trees and some scat! This spotting is from the open area adjoining the camp too.

Notes:

A Lifer for me. Second time this species is appearing on PN.

Reference Links:

Black-faced laughingthrush - Wikipedia, Oriental Bird Club Image Database : Black-faced Laughingthrush » Trochalo…

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (11)
Tukup
Ah, I missed the Streaked Laughingthrush. I also see there are LOTS of Laughingthrushes so you still have some to look for yet :-) Happy hunting.
SukanyaDatta
Thanks, Tukup. Actually three species of Laughingthrushes in as many days. Delighted is an understatement!
Tukup
Good catch Sukanya. Two Laughing Thrushes within just a few days. They are completely new birds tome. Thanks for sharing.
Neil Ross
We had major flooding up north in Townsville and surrounds just recently, and livestock that was dying of thirst in some areas actually drowned! How's that for a clear definition of irony? India and Australia are very similar in many ways, and both can be very harsh lands.
SukanyaDatta
So...so ...so sorry...to read this, Here in India...not much news of the Southern hemisphere...I cannot even begin to think how awful to see livestock (not to mention other animals) die due to drought....hope it ends soon...we have floods!!! Wish we could somehow send you all that suddenly surplus water.
Neil Ross
I love that word "lifers".... in relation to nature, that is. This has been a hard drought. I stay on a friends farm each winter, and last year was dire. Not much relief since. It's awful watching things die before your very eyes. In the cities I notice the trees, but out west it's the livestock.
SukanyaDatta
Thanks, Neil....Well, I prefer cold to Kolkata's hot and humid any day but the wet kept the moths away and this place is a MOTH paradise..and no moth meant fewer insect-eating birds like the Verditer flycatcher....still did get to catch many nectar-feeding birds (lifers). I hope the drought ends soon.
Neil Ross
I don't know about clammy, but cold and wet sounds like heaven. I've had enough of this southern heat and humidity. Summer drags on, and so does the drought.
SukanyaDatta
Thanks Neil. I saw three different species of Laughing thrush here...the weather was cold, clammy...wet but still....
Neil Ross
Wonderful spotting, Sukanya. Congrats on a lifer :)

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Birds of the World
Mission
The Biodiversity of Northern India
Mission
INDIAN WILDLIFE
Photographed
PublishedMarch 13, 2019

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies