Tailorbird
Tailorbirds are small birds belonging to the genus Orthotomus often placed in the Old World warbler family Sylviidae. Recent research though suggests they more likely belong in the Cisticolidae and they are treated as such in Del Hoyo et al. (2006). One species, the Mountain Tailorbird (and therefore also its sister species Rufous-headed Tailorbird), is actually closer to an old world warbler genus Cettia.
They occur in the Old World tropics, principally in Asia.
These warblers are usually brightly coloured, with green or grey uppperparts and yellow white or grey underparts. They often have chestnut on the head.
Tailorbirds have short rounded wings, short tails, strong legs and long curved bills. The tail is typically held upright, like a wren. They are typically found in open woodland, scrub and gardens.
Tailorbirds get their name from the way their nest is constructed. The edges of a large leaf are pierced and sewn together with plant fibre or spider's web to make a cradle in which the actual grass nest is built.
Species List
Common Tailorbird, Orthotomus sutorius
Dark-necked Tailorbird, Orthotomus atrogularis
Philippine Tailorbird, Orthotomus castaneiceps
Rufous-fronted Tailorbird, Orthotomus frontalis
Grey-backed Tailorbird, Orthotomus derbianus
Rufous-tailed Tailorbird, Orthotomus sericeus
Ashy Tailorbird, Orthotomus ruficeps
Olive-backed Tailorbird, Orthotomus sepium
Yellow-breasted Tailorbird, Orthotomus samarensis
White-browed Tailorbird, Orthotomus nigriceps
White-eared Tailorbird, Orthotomus cinereiceps
Mountain Tailorbird, Orthotomus cucullatus
Rufous-headed Tailorbird, Orthotomus heterolaemus
Two species have been found to be only distantly related to Orthotomus and probably better regarded as a separate genus Artisornis.: African Tailorbird, Artisornis metopias
Long-billed Tailorbird, Artisornis moreaui
Plus the two species likely to be moved to the Cettiidae: Mountain Tailorbird, Orthotomus/Phyllergates cucullatus
Rufous-headed Tailorbird, Orthotomus/Phyllergates heterolaemus
Translation of "Tailorbird"
French: Orthotomus, Dutch: Orthotomus, Finnish: Räätälit, Vietnamese: Chi Chích bông.
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