Garrulax pectoralis (Gould, 1836)

Scientific Classification

The greater necklaced laughingthrush, currently classified under the scientific name Pterorhinus pectoralis, is a species of passerine bird in the family Leiothrichidae.

Taxonomic History

It was originally published as Garrulax pectoralis by Gould in 1836, and was formerly placed in the genus Garrulax. Following the 2018 publication of a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic study, this species was moved to the resurrected genus Pterorhinus.

Distribution Range

This bird is naturally found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam, and has been introduced to Hawaii.

Natural Habitats

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.

Foraging Flock Dominance

In mixed-species foraging flocks, greater necklaced laughingthrushes tend to be dominant.

Species Mimicry Hypothesis

It has been suggested that this may have been the selective pressure that led to the mimicry of this species by the less closely related Lesser necklaced laughingthrush.