Identification:
Adult birds have a black head, throat, and upper breast; a short crest; bare skin behind the eye that is sky blue; a white band on the breast, sides of the neck, and nape. The beak is black.
Biology and Ecology:
They typically forage in flocks in the mid and lower levels of the forest and are very shy. They inhabit evergreen broadleaf forests. Their altitudinal distribution ranges from approximately 800 to 1700 meters. The breeding season is in May and June.
Distribution:
- Vietnam: Gia Lai (Kon Ka Kinh Nature Reserve, Kon Cha Rang), Đắk Lắk (Chư Yang Sin, Tà Đùng), Ngọc Linh (Kontum and Quảng Nam), Lâm Đồng (Lạc Dương, Di Linh), Kontum (Kon Plông), Chư Yang Sin National Park, and some other areas.
- World: Laos and Cambodia.
Value:
An endemic species to Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Of scientific value.
Conservation Status:
Relatively common within its distribution range.
Assessment:
LR cd (Lower Risk, conservation dependent).
Conservation Measures:
Listed in the Red Data Book of threatened birds in Asia (2001), categorized as EN (Endangered). They are currently protected in the Ngọc Linh Nature Reserves (Kontum) and the proposed Ngọc Linh (Quảng Nam) and Kon Plông (Kontum) reserves.