Leiothrichidae – Laughingthrushes, Barwings, Babblers & Sibias
The Leiothrichidae (Laughingthrushes, Babblers, Sibias, Fulvettyas, Barwings & Allies) are a family of Old-World passerines. They are diverse in size and coloration. They are birds of tropical areas, with the greatest variety in Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. The entire family used to be included in the Timaliidae.
The family Leiothrichidae was introduced (as a subfamily Leiotrichanae) (1832) by the English naturalist William Swainson. However, a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic study of the family (2018) led to substantial revision of the taxonomic classification. The laughingthrushes in the genus Garrulax were found to belong to three separate clades that had diverged in the Miocene 7–9 million year ago. The genus was therefore split with Garrulax restricted to one clade and the genera Pterorhinus and Ianthocincla resurrected for the other two clades. The genus Turdoides was also split and some species moved into the resurrected genus Argya. In a separate change, the crocias were moved to the genus Laniellus as Swainson, (1832) which has priority over Crocias Temminck, (1836).
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Blue-crowned Laughingthrush Pterorhinus courtoisi |
Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush Pterorhinus mitratus |
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Scaly Laughingthrush Trochalopteron subunicolor |
Assam Laughingthrush Trochalopteron chrysopterum |
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Unless otherwise attributed, all photos on this page courtesy of ©Nick Ludovioc Green Bird-Photo-Tours ASIA |
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They are small to medium-sized birds. They have strong legs, and many are quite terrestrial. They typically have generalised bills, similar to those of a thrush, although quite a number have elongated curved bills suitable for probing for food. Most have predominantly brown plumage, with minimal difference between the sexes, but many more brightly coloured species also exist. Reds, yellows, oranges, and startling white highlights are found on quite a large number of species.
Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush Garrulax monileger
Collared Laughingthrush Trochalopteron yersini
This group is not strongly migratory, and most species have short rounded wings, and a weak flight. They live in lightly wooded or scrubland environments, ranging from swamp to near-desert. Most spend their time in the mid to of the levels of the Forest canopy, especially where they are moisture areas. However, the habitats can include scrub and savanna, particularly in Africa and the Middle East.
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White-speckled Laughingthrush Ianthocincla bieti |
Black-faced Laughingthrush Trochalopteron affine |
They are primarily insectivorous, and take many other arthropods. However, some will also take berries, and the larger species will even eat larger prey such as small lizards and other vertebrates.
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Bare-cheeked Babbler Turdoides gymnogenys |
Arrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii |
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Both photos above courtesy of ©Dubi Shapiro |
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Many of the birds are prized for both for their plumage and their song variety which, unfortunately, has led to many being kept as cage birds and subject to the illegal pet trade. In a number of places cage birds that have escaped to being released have established feral populations.
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Number of bird species: 145
(As at December 2025)
According to the recently (2025) amalgamated AviList, there are one hundred and forty-five species of Fulvettas, Sibias, Barwings, Babblers, Laughingthrushes & allies, in seventeen genera in the Leiothrichidae family. They are:
Brown-cheeked Fulvetta Alcippe poioicephala
Black-browed Fulvetta Alcippe grotei
Brown Fulvetta Alcippe brunneicauda
Javan Fulvetta Alcippe pyrrhoptera
Nepal Fulvetta Alcippe nipalensis
David’s Fulvetta Alcippe davidi
Huet’s Fulvetta Alcippe hueti
Grey-cheeked Fulvetta Alcippe morrisonia
Yunnan Fulvetta Alcippe fratercula
Mountain Fulvetta Alcippe peracensis
Striated Laughingthrush Grammatoptila striatus
Grey-crowned Crocias Laniellus langbianis
Spotted Crocias Laniellus albonotatus
Vietnamese Cutia Cutia legalleni
Himalayan Cutia Cutia nipalensis
Scaly Laughingthrush Trochalopteron subunicolor
Brown-capped Laughingthrush Trochalopteron austeni
Blue-winged Laughingthrush Trochalopteron squamatum
Streaked Laughingthrush Trochalopteron lineatum
Bhutan Laughingthrush Trochalopteron imbricatum
Striped Laughingthrush Trochalopteron virgatum
Variegated Laughingthrush Trochalopteron variegatum
Black-faced Laughingthrush Trochalopteron affine
White-whiskered Laughingthrush Trochalopteron morrisonianum
Brown-cheeked Laughingthrush Trochalopteron henrici
Elliot’s Laughingthrush Trochalopteron elliotii
Red-tailed Laughingthrush Trochalopteron milnei
Collared Laughingthrush Trochalopteron yersini
Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush Trochalopteron erythrocephalum
Assam Laughingthrush Trochalopteron chrysopterum
Red-winged Laughingthrush Trochalopteron formosum
Silver-eared Laughingthrush Trochalopteron melanostigma
Golden-winged Laughingthrush Trochalopteron ngoclinhense
Malayan Laughingthrush Trochalopteron peninsulae
Nilgiri Laughingthrush Montecincla jerdoni
Kerala Laughingthrush Montecincla fairbanki
Black-chinned Laughingthrush Montecincla cachinnans
Ashambu Laughingthrush Montecincla meridionalios
Long-tailed Sibia Heterophasia picaoides
White-eared Sibia Heterophasia auricularis
Rufous Sibia Heterophasia capistrata
Beautiful Sibia Heterophasia pulchella
Grey Sibia Heterophasia gracilis
Dark-backed Sibia Heterophasia melanoleuca
Black-headed Sibia Heterophasia desgodinsi
Hoary-throated Barwing Actinodura nipalensis
Taiwan Barwing Actinodura morrisoniana
Streak-throated Barwing Actinodura waldeni
Streaked Barwing Actinodura souliei
Blue-winged Minla Actinodura cyanouroptera
Bar-throated Minla Actinodura strigula
Rusty-fronted Barwing Actinodura egertoni
Spectacled Barwing Actinodura ramsayi
Black-crowned Barwing Actinodura sodangorum
Red-billed Leiothrix Leiothrix lutea
Silver-eared Mesia Leiothrix argentauris
Red-tailed Minla Minla ignotincta
Rufous-backed Sibia Leioptila annectans
Bugun Liocichla Liocichla bugunorum
Emei Shan Liocichla Liocichla omeiensis
Steere’s Liocichla Liocichla steerii
Red-faced Liocichla Liocichla phoenicea
Scarlet-faced Liocichla Liocichla ripponi
Large Grey Babbler Argya malcolmi
Ashy-headed Laughingthrush Argya cinereifrons
Slender-billed Babbler Argya longirostris
Rufous Babbler Argya subrufa
Orange-billed Babbler Argya rufescens
Yellow-billed Babbler Argya affinis
Jungle Babbler Argya striata
Rufous Chatterer Argya rubiginosa
Scaly Chatterer Argya aylmeri
Iraq Babbler Argya altirostris
Common Babbler Argya caudata
Afghan Babbler Argya huttoni
White-throated Babbler Argya gularis
Striated Babbler Argya earlei
Arabian Babbler Argya squamiceps
Fulvous Babbler Argya fulva
Spiny Babbler Turdoides nipalensis
Capuchin Babbler Turdoides atripennis
Black-faced Babbler Turdoides melanops
Black-lored Babbler Turdoides sharpei
White-throated Mountain Babbler Turdoides gilberti
Chapin’s Babbler Turdoides chapini
Red-collared Babbler Turdoides rufocinctus
Brown Babbler Turdoides plebejus
White-rumped Babbler Turdoides leucopygia
Hinde’s Babbler Turdoides hindei
Scaly Babbler Turdoides squamulata
Arrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii
Bare-cheeked Babbler Turdoides gymnogenys
White-headed Babbler Turdoides leucocephala
Blackcap Babbler Turdoides reinwardtii
Dusky Babbler Turdoides tenebrosa
Southern Pied Babbler Turdoides bicolor
Hartlaub’s Babbler Turdoides hartlaubii
Black-lored Babbler Turdoides sharpei
Black-faced Babbler Turdoides melanops
Northern Pied Babbler Turdoides hypoleuca
Spot-breasted Laughingthrush Garrulax merulinus
Orange-breasted Laughingthrush Garrulax annamensis
Chinese Hwamei Garrulax canorus
Taiwan Hwamei Garrulax taewanus
Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush Garrulax monileger
Rufous-fronted Laughingthrush Garrulax rufifrons
Sunda Laughingthrush Garrulax palliatus
White-crested Laughingthrush Garrulax leucolophus
Sumatran Laughingthrush Garrulax bicolor
Black-hooded Laughingthrush Garrulax milleti
White-necked Laughingthrush Garrulax strepitans
Cambodian Laughingthrush Garrulax ferrarius
Grey Laughingthrush Garrulax maesi
Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush Garrulax castanotis
Snowy-cheeked Laughingthrush Ianthocincla sukatschewi
Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush Ianthocincla rufogularis
Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush Ianthocincla konkakinhensis
Moustached Laughingthrush Ianthocincla cineracea
Spotted Laughingthrush Ianthocincla ocellata
Giant Laughingthrush Ianthocincla maxima
White-speckled Laughingthrush Ianthocincla bieti
Barred Laughingthrush Ianthocincla lunulata
Wynaad Laughingthrush Pterorhinus delesserti
Rufous-vented Laughingthrush Pterorhinus gularis
White-cheeked Laughingthrush Pterorhinus vassali
Yellow-throated Laughingthrush Pterorhinus galbanus
Blue-crowned Laughingthrush Pterorhinus courtoisi
Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush Pterorhinus mitratus
Chestnut-hooded Laughingthrush Pterorhinus treacheri
Rufous-necked Laughingthrush Pterorhinus ruficollis
Chestnut-backed Laughingthrush Pterorhinus nuchalis
Black-throated Laughingthrush Pterorhinus chinensis
White-browed Laughingthrush Pterorhinus sannio
Masked Laughingthrush Pterorhinus perspicillatus
Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush Pterorhinus pectoralis
Plain Laughingthrush Pterorhinus davidi
Mount Victoria Babax Pterorhinus woodi
Chinese Babax Pterorhinus lanceolatus
Giant Babax Pterorhinus waddelli
Tibetan Babax Pterorhinus koslowi
White-throated Laughingthrush Pterorhinus albogularis
Rufous-crowned Laughingthrush Pterorhinus ruficeps
Grey-sided Laughingthrush Pterorhinus caerulatus
Buffy Laughingthrush Pterorhinus berthemyi
Rusty Laughingthrush Pterorhinus poecilorhynchus
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Leiothrichidae
Family AccountLeiothrichids are primarily insectivorous, feeding on a broad array of insects and other arthropods; the larger species also take small vertebrates. In addition ... -
Leiothrichidae
Family AccountThe laughingthrushes are a family, Leiothrichidae, of Old World passerine birds. The family contains 143 species and is divided into 17 genera.
Given the number of species in this family, Fatbirder does not provide quick links to all of them. However, the entries below do include links to representatives of every genera, all those illustrated and some of the most often encountered, iconic or sought-after species.
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Arabian Babbler Argya squamiceps
Species AccountUnique social passerine with a disproportionately long tail and very short and rounded wings. -
Arabian Babbler Argya squamiceps
Species AccountSound archives and distribution map. -
Arrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii
Species AccountA gregarious brown babbler with a striking yellow-orange eye that is rimmed with red in the southern part of its range. -
Arrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii
Species AccountSound archives and distribution map. -
Assam Laughingthrush Trochalopteron chrysopterum
Species AccountShy skulker with golden wings and a long golden tail. Eastern populations in China have a gray head and orange crown... -
Assam Laughingthrush Trochalopteron chrysopterum
Species AccountSound archives and distribution map. -
Bare-cheeked Babbler Turdoides gymnogenys
Species AccountTaxonomy and systematics The bare-cheeked babbler is identified as having two different species, the gymnogenys in Angola and the kaokensis in Namibia... -
Bare-cheeked Babbler Turdoides gymnogenys
Species AccountSound archives and distribution map. -
Black-faced Laughingthrush Trochalopteron affine
Species AccountShy, beautifully patterned laughinghtrush of mid to high elevations. Note bold black-and-white head pattern, golden wing and tail panels, and mostly unmarked brown on the rest of the body. -
Black-faced Laughingthrush Trochalopteron affine
Species AccountSound archives and distribution map. -
Blue-crowned Laughingthrush Pterorhinus courtoisi
Species AccountThe blue-crowned laughingthrush or Courtois's laughingbird (Pterorhinus courtoisi) is a species of bird in the family Leiothrichidae. -
Blue-crowned Laughingthrush Pterorhinus courtoisi
Species AccountSound archives and distribution map. -
Capuchin Babbler Turdoides atripennis
Species AccountThe capuchin babbler (Phyllanthus atripennis) is a species of bird in the Leiothrichidae family. -
Capuchin Babbler Turdoides atripennis
Species AccountSound archives and distribution map. -
Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush Pterorhinus mitratus
Species AccountSlaty gray laughingthrush with a rusty-red crown and bright white arcs around the eyes. -
Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush Pterorhinus mitratus
Species AccountSound archives and distribution map. -
Chinese Babax Pterorhinus lanceolatus
Species AccountThe Chinese babax (Pterorhinus lanceolatus) is a species of bird in the family Leiothrichidae. -
Chinese Babax Pterorhinus lanceolatus
Species AccountSound archives and distribution map. -
Collared Laughingthrush Trochalopteron yersini
Species AccountThe collared laughingthrush (Trochalopteron yersini) is a species of bird in the family Leiothrichidae. -
Collared Laughingthrush Trochalopteron yersini
Species AccountSound archives and distribution map. -
Grey-crowned Crocias Laniellus langbianis
Species AccountThe grey-crowned crocias (Laniellus langbianis) is a passerine bird in the family Leiothrichidae. It is endemic to Vietnam -
Grey-crowned Crocias Laniellus langbianis
Species AccountSound archives and distribution map. -
Kerala Laughingthrush Montecincla fairbanki
Species AccountThe Palani laughingthrush (Montecincla fairbanki) is a species of laughingthrush endemic to the hills of the Western Ghats -
Kerala Laughingthrush Montecincla fairbanki
Species AccountSound archives and distribution map. -
Large Grey Babbler Argya malcolmi
Species AccountThe large gray babbler (Argya malcolmi) is a member of the family Leiothrichidae found across India and far western Nepal. -
Large Grey Babbler Argya malcolmi
Species AccountSound archives and distribution map. -
Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush Garrulax monileger
Species AccountA mid-sized laughingthrush, usually seen foraging on the ground and in shrubbery of hilly forest. -
Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush Garrulax monileger
Species AccountSound archives and distribution map. -
Long-tailed Sibia Heterophasia picaoides
Species AccountTruly long-tailed, even for a sibia, this bird appears rather dainty and small-headed in comparison with most of its relatives. -
Long-tailed Sibia Heterophasia picaoides
Species AccountSound archives and distribution map. -
Red-billed Leiothrix Leiothrix lutea
Species AccountThe red-billed leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea) is a member of the family Leiothrichidae, native to southern China and the Himalayas. -
Red-billed Leiothrix Leiothrix lutea
Species AccountSound archives and distribution map. -
Red-faced Liocichla Liocichla phoenicea
Species AccountThe red-faced liocichla (Liocichla phoenicea) is a species of bird in the family Leiothrichidae. -
Red-faced Liocichla Liocichla phoenicea
Species AccountSound archives and distribution map. -
Red-tailed Minla Minla ignotincta
Species AccountThe red-tailed minla (Minla ignotincta) is a passerine bird in the family Leiothrichidae. -
Red-tailed Minla Minla ignotincta
Species AccountSound archives and distribution map. -
Rufous-backed Sibia Leioptila annectans
Species AccountEbony head and snowy throat, combined with the hazy mixture of bright orange and black on the back... -
Rufous-backed Sibia Leioptila annectans
Species AccountSound archives and distribution map. -
Scaly Laughingthrush Trochalopteron subunicolor
Species AccountSound archives and distribution map. -
Scaly Laughingthrush Trochalopteron subunicolor
Species AccountThe scaly laughingthrush (Trochalopteron subunicolor) is a bird species in the family Leiothrichidae. -
Streak-throated Barwing Actinodura waldeni
Species AccountThe streak-throated barwing (Actinodura waldeni) is a species of bird in the family Leiothrichidae. -
Streak-throated Barwing Actinodura waldeni
Species AccountSound archives and distribution map. -
Striated Laughingthrush Grammatoptila striatus
Species AccountThis laughingthrush resembles a dark, rather unmarked barwing. Brown overall with pencil-thin white lines all over the body. -
Striated Laughingthrush Grammatoptila striatus
Species AccountSound archives and distribution map. -
Vietnamese Cutia Cutia legalleni
Species AccountVietnamese Cutia Cutia legalleni (Northern female has not yet been described.) Inhabits both broadleaved and coniferous... -
Vietnamese Cutia Cutia legalleni
Species AccountSound archives and distribution map. -
White-crested Laughingthrush Garrulax leucolophus
Species AccountStunningly white peaked crest, combined with a thin dark mask and russet-brown body, makes this laughingthrush an otherworldly beauty. -
White-crested Laughingthrush Garrulax leucolophus
Species AccountSound archives and distribution map. -
White-speckled Laughingthrush Ianthocincla bieti
Species AccountThe white-speckled laughingthrush (Ianthocincla bieti), also known as Biet's Laughingthrush, is a species of passerine... -
White-speckled Laughingthrush Ianthocincla bieti
Species AccountSound archives and distribution map. -
Yunnan Fulvetta Alcippe fratercula
Species AccountThe Yunnan fulvetta (Alcippe fratercula) is a species of bird in the family Leiothrichidae. It is endemic to southern China... -
Yunnan Fulvetta Alcippe fratercula
Species AccountSound archives and distribution map.