Alerts

Please be advised that our bird aviaries are open!  

Your Toronto Zoo is committed to the health and safety of the animals in our care. We take proactive steps to protect our birds from Avian Influenza which has been confirmed in a wild bird in southern Ontario, and some birds may still be off display.

Please note Splash Island is still closed and will not open until July due to unforeseen delays in construction. Please watch for updates on https://www.torontozoo.com/tz/splash or on our social media pages. Thank you!

Please note the following animals are currently not on display due to various reasons including Avian Bird Flu, and Covid-19 sensitivity:

  • Flamingo, peacock, owl, bald eagle, and aviaries
  • Some Kids Zoo Animals
  • Cougar
  • Moose
  • Kangaroo walk through (kangaroos are still visible)
  • Axolotl

We apologize for the inconvenience!
Black-Throated Laughing Thrush
Black-Throated Laughing Thrush
Bird

Location at the Zoo:
Indo-Malaya
Region: Indomalaya


Black-throated laughing thrush

The black-throated laughing thrush measures 25 cm in length and weighs between 90 and 130 g. The plumage is soft, loose and fluffy with no difference between sexes. The face and beak are black with a splash of white behind the eyes. The top of the head and body are a blue-grey with brown overtones on the wings and tail. The strong, stout legs and feet are a pale red.

Conservation Status: IUCN




Distribution:

They are found in Cambodia, south and southwest China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

Habitat:

Its natural habitats are tropical and subtropical moist lowland forests, bamboo woods and bushes.

Diet:

Insects, crustaceans and a variety of seeds and vegetation.

Reproduction:

Cup shaped nests are made with moss, dead leaves and other available materials. Eggs are oval shaped and have a glossy, blue colour. The incubation period is approximately 14 days. The young are born featherless, are blind and feeble (altricial). However, they grow at a fast rate often eating the equivalent of their own weight, each day. The nesting period is from 13 to 16 days.

Adaptation:

Highly sociable birds staying in small flocks while foraging for food. They have a wide variety of calls and call frequently and noisily to stay in touch with each other. When alarmed, their calls become a loud and harsh chattering or screaming. They stay close with their mates and other flock members, frequently preening each other. Their feet are used for gripping food. They are non-migratory birds and even tend to stay close to where they were born. Bathing is done by repeatedly hopping in and out of water.

Threats to Survival:

Other than habitat loss and fragmentation in certain areas, this species is considered to be fairly common. It is often used as a song bird in communities in southeast Asia because of its pleasant song.