Nilgiri laughingthrush, Trochalopteron cachinnans, is an endangered (IUCN 3.1) bird species endemic to the Nilgiri areas of Western Ghats. This species is also known as Rufous-breasted Laughingthrush or Black-chinned Laughingthrush. Its global population is principally confined to the Nilgiri Hills, India. Once rich, its shola habitat witnessed significant loss during the 19th and 20th centuries with the arrival of tea plantations. The remaining habitat also faces severe threat from grazing, lopping, and intrusion.

Endemic to the Niligiri region of peninsular India, the distribution is restricted very much due to it’s habitat lost. Though it’s common in its habitat the population is small and reducing due to heavy destruction of Shola forests. The preferred spots are Shola forest with dense undergrowth and fringes. Also in wooded gardens, forest edge and patches of thick scrub.