Laughingthrushes – Family Overview

Laughingthrushes are medium to large-sized passerine birds belonging to the family Leiothrichidae. They are known for their sociable behaviour, loud and varied vocalisations, and often richly patterned plumage.

Laughingthrushes are primarily birds of forests and wooded hills, where they inhabit dense undergrowth, bamboo thickets, and forest edges. They are frequently seen moving through vegetation in noisy groups.

These birds feed mainly on insects and other invertebrates, supplemented with fruits, berries, and seeds. Foraging usually takes place close to the ground or within dense cover.

Laughingthrushes are highly social birds, often living in family groups and showing cooperative behaviour such as group foraging and communal roosting. Their calls and choruses are a characteristic feature of many Asian forests.

The family is widely distributed across Asia, with India supporting a rich diversity of laughingthrush species, particularly in the Himalayan region, Northeast India, and forested hill ranges.

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Licensing & Prints

Selected photographs from this bird family are available for licensing and fine-art prints. You can explore curated images in the Laughingthrushes collection on BirdsPhotos Shop.