Chinese Hwamei
Garrulax canorus
The Chinese Hwamei (Garrulax canorus) is a uncommon laughingthrush found in 9 countries, weighing about 63 g. The Chinese hwamei or melodious laughingthrush is a passerine bird of eastern Asia in the laughingthrush family Leiothrichidae.
About the Chinese Hwamei
The Chinese hwamei or melodious laughingthrush is a passerine bird of eastern Asia in the laughingthrush family Leiothrichidae. The name "hwamei" comes from its Chinese name huà méi, which means "painted eyebrow", referring to the distinctive marking around the bird's eyes. The species is a popular cagebird because of its attractive song.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
It is 21 to 25 cm long with broad, rounded wings and a fan-shaped tail. The plumage is mostly reddish-brown with dark streaks on the crown, back and throat. There is a white ring around the eye which extends backwards as a white stripe. The bill and feet are yellowish. Birds on Hainan Island (G. c. owstoni) are paler below and more olive-coloured above. The Taiwan hwamei is greyer and more streaked and lacks the white markings on the head. The song is a loud, clear, varied whistling with regular repetition and imitations of other birds. The call is a rasping whistle or rattle.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Chinese Hwamei can be seen all year round, with peak activity in May. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Chinese Hwamei?
- It is 21 to 25 cm long with broad, rounded wings and a fan-shaped tail. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Chinese Hwamei?
- The Chinese Hwamei is a medium sized bird weighing about 63 g.
- Where can you see a Chinese Hwamei?
- The Chinese Hwamei occurs in 9 countries, including Taiwan, the United States, Japan, Hong Kong SAR China and Macao SAR China.
- What birds look similar to a Chinese Hwamei?
- The Chinese Hwamei is most easily confused with the White-crested Laughingthrush, the Taiwan Hwamei and the Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush.
- Is the Chinese Hwamei endangered?
- The Chinese Hwamei is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Chinese Hwamei for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.