About Garrulax canorus (Linnaeus, 1758)
This species measures 21 to 25 cm in length, with broad rounded wings and a fan-shaped tail. Its plumage is mostly reddish-brown, with dark streaks on the crown, back, and throat. It has a white ring around the eye that extends backward as a white stripe, and both its bill and feet are yellowish. The subspecies found on Hainan Island, Garrulax canorus owstoni, is paler on the underparts and more olive-coloured on the upperparts. The Taiwan hwamei is greyer, more heavily streaked, and lacks the white head markings. The species' song is a loud, clear, varied whistling with regular repetition, and includes imitations of other birds. Its call is a rasping whistle or rattle. The nominate subspecies Garrulax canorus canorus is found across south-eastern and central China, as well as in northern and central Vietnam and Laos. The subspecies G. c. owstoni is endemic to Hainan. G. c. canorus has been introduced to Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, and Hawaii. It was introduced to the Hawaiian Islands in the early 20th century, and now occurs in both native forest and man-made habitats. It is common on Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii Island, but less common on Oahu and Molokai. This bird inhabits scrubland, open woodland, secondary forest, parks, and gardens, at elevations up to 1800 metres above sea level. It is common across most of its range, and is not classified as a threatened species.
