Steere's Laughingthrush

Steere's Laughingthrush (scientific name Liocichla steerii), also known as the Steere's Liocichla or Yellow-breasted Laughingthrush, is an endemic bird species of Taiwan. It primarily inhabts forests, shrublands, and forest edge environments in mid-elevation mountainous areas, sometimes descending to lower altitudes in winter. Its body is generally olive-green, with a grayish-black head. The most striking feature is a small patch of orange-yellow below and in front of the eye, resembling a tiny 'beauty mark' on its face. The chest and belly are olive-yellow, and the wings and tail feathers have yellow, black, and white details. It measures about 17 cm in length. Steere's Laughingthrush typically forages in the forest understory, dense shrubbery, or grasslands, often appearing alone or in small groups. It feeds on insects, fruits, and seeds, and is agile in its movements. When startled, it quickly darts into dense vegetation, leading to the saying that sometimes 'you only hear its song, but never see the bird'. It's also a very vocal bird in the mountains, with its clear, loud calls especially easy to hear in the early morning. The next time you're hiking in the Taiwanese mountains and hear lively bird calls from the bushes, take a closer look. You might just spot this charming little yellow sprite. Image source: https://share.google/BRFmSOGIeW6HcHHMY