Abstract
This striking laughing thrush is
found as a common resident in the
forest undergrowth areas throughout
southeast Asia. Imported on a somewhat
frequent basis, its numbers still
remain relatively low in captivity.
There are around 50 individuals currently
housed in U.S. zoos (private
sector population unknown).
Typical of the larger laughing
thrushes, it can have an aggressive
nature. Although it is sometimes difficult
to house in a mixed species aviary,
individuals have had success
keeping them in larger aviaries with
other birds such as the Gold-crested
Mynah, Crested Wood Partridge,
Bleeding Heart Dove and Red-billed
Leiothrix. The key factor seems to be
in avoiding species which compete
for food or nesting niches. On the
positive side, it is an extremely personable
species with an explosive and
variable call.
A few zoos have had success breeding
these birds in captivity. The Minnesota
Zoo has produced young with
regularity. Bird Curator Jim Pichner
has noted that their birds breed
throughout the year. Nesting is stimulated
with the addition of lots of nestÂ
ing material to the enclosure. The
birds prefer long, lancelate material
such as bamboo leaves . They very
rarely use nest baskets, but choose to
build five- to six-inch diameter robintype
nests five to six feet from the
ground. Gene rally, three to five eggs
are laid, with two to three c hicks
fledging. Although the pare nts' diet is
omnivorous, they will feed strictly
insects to the offspring. There is a tendency
for the birds to re-cycle on to
the nest quickly, and not to fini sh off
the chicks after fledging. At that time,
the chicks are pulled and finished by
the staff.
More than o ne adult pair cannot be
kept together, but they can be set up
in large (15'1 x lO'W x 8'H), well
planted aviaries within vi sual and
vocal contact of each other. Minnesota
has kept a flock of six birds, which
have been raised together since they
were juveniles, but only one adult pair
breeds.
Although replacements have been
readily available from the wild in the
pas t, this may not continue in the
future . Efforts should be made to
improve captive propagation of this
delightful bird.