Bird Name:

Hwamei

Latin Name:

Garrulax conorus

Status:

Least concern

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Timaliidae

Genus: Garrulax

Species: G. canorus

General information:

Common names include Hwamei Laughing Thrush, Melodious Laughing Thrush and Chinese Thrush. The name "hwamei" comes from Chinese and means "painted eyebrow" referring to the distinctive marking around the bird's eyes. There are three subspecies: G. canorus owstoni, G. canorus taewanus, and G. canorus canorus. Due to the males' elaborate songs, the Hwamei is the most popular caged bird in the global Chinese community. Hwamei's song is a loud, clear, varied whistling with regular repetition and imitations of other birds.

Physical Description:

The Hwamei is 21 to 25 cm long with broad, rounded wings and a fan-shaped tail. The plumage is reddish-brown with dark steaks on the crown, back and throat. There is a white ring around the eye which extends backwards to the nape forming a white streak. The bill is yellow as are the feet and the short legs. G. c. owstoni is paler and more olive-colored. G. c. taewanus is greyer and streaks are more evident. This subspecies also lacks the trademark white markings around the eyes. Sexes are similar. The

Diet:

Diet consists mainly of insects but the Hwamei will also eat fruit and seeds. They forage for food on the ground in leaf litter.

Habitat:

The Hwamei inhabits scrubland, secondary forests, parks and gardens up to 6000 feet above sea level.
G. c. canorus occurs across south-eastern and central China and in northern and central Vietnam and Laos. It has been introduced to Hawaii, Singapore, and Taiwan. G. c. owstoni is found on Hainan while G. c. taewanus is found on Taiwan.

Reproduction:

The breeding season lasts from May to July. A pair is monogamous. A cup-shaped nest is built up to two meters above the ground in a tree, bush or amongst undergrowth. Two to five blue or blue-green eggs are laid. The female will incubate the eggs for 15 days. Nestlings are feed by both parents. The young fledge after about 13 days.