Search

White-crested Laughingthrush encounter

on 27th June 2012

“I was walking the Southern Ridges yesterday when I saw around a dozen White-crested Laughingthrush (Garrulax leucolopus) fighting in two gangs. It was near Canopy Walk at Alexandra. They were not afraid of me and walked (hopped) right up, so I got a few close-up shots.”

“Exactly a year ago I saw these birds singing loudly at the Ulu Pandan Park Connector. I’ve been back to the same place several times, and never saw them again there. That white mohawk and loud voice are quite distinctive, It’s a beautiful bird and I’m delighted to have seen it again, and so many of them! Is it common?

“Looking at the order of my photos, I think the location I saw them was at Telok Blangah Hill Park. I did the Southern Ridges Walk for over two hours from Kent Ridge to Mount Faber yesterday.

“I was walking up a slope in a forested area, and there was a group of about six birds on the right side of my path, and another gang of similar number on the left side. The group on the right were agitated, and aggressive, attacking the other group and calling loudly. Even when I walked up slowly, they hopped away at first, but then hopped back soon, and continued to harass the group on the left.”

Mrs Koh
Singapore
24th June 2012

Note: The White-crested Laughingthrush is not indigenous to Singapore. It was most probably introduced from Thailand as a cage bird and somehow escaped and form a viable population. It has become well established throughout the island since 1995. Its population has now increased and it can be commonly encountered in many locations.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

2 Responses

  1. I believe many park users had seen this whole gang foraging at the same location, too. My last encounter with them was a year back, cos, many a time, I only get to hear them in the thick undergrowth.

  2. This type of behavior is common I believe. Here in Thailand it is common to see a group of 8-12 birds living together and fending off rival groups. They are so noisy that when that happens, it is hard to ignore!

Leave a Reply to Ong Ei Leen Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories
Archives

Overall visits (since 2005)

Live visitors
666
12917
Visitors Today
51786045
Total
Visitors

Clustrmaps (since 2016)