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Silver-eared mesia
The silver‑eared mesia is a brightly coloured songbird native to South and Southeast Asia, where it inhabits evergreen forests, montane woodland, bamboo thickets, and forest edges. Its chestnut and olive plumage, bold black mask, and distinctive white “silver” ear patch make it one of the most visually striking members of the laughingthrush family.
You can find four silver-eared mesia in our Gems of the Jungle walkthrough exhibit.
Class:
Aves
Order:
Passeriformes
Family:
Leiothrichidae
About the silver-eared mesia
This species is an omnivore, feeding on insects, larvae, fruit, and occasional seeds. Silver‑eared mesias forage actively through dense vegetation, often hopping among branches or probing leaf clusters for hidden prey. Their varied diet and adaptable feeding behaviour allow them to thrive across a range of forest habitats.
Silver‑eared mesias are highly social and typically form large groups of 5 to 30 individuals. These flocks move cohesively through the undergrowth, staying in contact with a continuous stream of soft calls. Nests are usually built low in shrubs or bamboo, with chicks fledging after around two weeks.
Conservation
The silver‑eared mesia is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, but some populations across South and Southeast Asia are impacted by habitat loss and trapping, particularly for the cage‑bird trade. Forest clearance and degradation reduce suitable breeding and feeding areas. Conservation actions include habitat protection and captive‑breeding initiatives, which help reduce pressure on wild populations.