Rufous-fronted laughingthrush

The rufous-fronted laughingthrush (Garrulax rufifrons) is a bird species in the family Leiothrichidae. it is endemic to Java, where it occurs in evergreen tropical montane forests at 900–2,400 m (3,000–7,900 ft).[1] It feeds on insects and fruit.[2]

Rufous-fronted laughingthrush
Preserved specimen at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Leiothrichidae
Genus: Garrulax
Species:
G. rufifrons
Binomial name
Garrulax rufifrons
Lesson, 1831

It is 27 cm (11 in) in length,[3] and has a striking and very deep rufous-red patch on an otherwise grey plumage above its bill. Its large eyes are a striking light yellow colour. Like other laughingthrushes, it typically occurs in small family groups of five or six birds, but little is known about its breeding since only very recently has there been any success breeding in captivity and its natural habitat is extremely rugged mountains.

In 2012, it was still regarded as Near Threatened, but is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2016, as it is threatened by trapping for the cagebird trade. A breeding program has been started in Cikanaga Wildlife Center, though efforts were hindered when three birds were thieved in a raid.[1]

One subspecies, G. r. slamatensis, is possibly extinct in the wild with the last few animals remaining in private breeding centers.[4]

References
  1. BirdLife International (2016). "Garrulax rufifrons". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Becking, J. H. Henri Jacob Victor Sody (1892-1959): His Life and Work: a Biographical and Bibliographical Study. p. 205. ISBN 9004086870.
  3. Collar, N. J.; van Balen, S. (2013). "Notes for the conservation of the Rufous-fronted Laughingthrush Garrulax rufifrons". Forktail. 29: 15–18.
  4. "Cikananga Wildlife Center – Rufous-fronted Laughingthrush". www.cikanangawildlifecenter.com. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
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