Tailorbird

Tailorbirds are small birds belonging to the genus Orthotomus often placed in the Old World warbler family Sylviidae. However, recent research 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.^[1]

They occur in the Old World tropics, principally in Asia.

These warblers are usually brightly coloured, with green or grey upperparts 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.^[2]:

• 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

Bibliography

• Warblers of Europe, Asia and North Africa by Baker, ISBN 0-7136-3971-7
• The New Student's Reference Work/Tailor-Bird
• Ryan, Peter (2006). Family Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and allies). Pp. 378–492 in del Hoyo J., Elliott A. & Christie D.A. (2006) Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 11. Old World Flycatchers to Old World Warblers Lynx Edicions, Barcelona ISBN 978-84-96553-06-4

References

1. ^ Alström, Per; Ericson, P.G.P.; Olsson, U.; Sundberg, P. (2006). "Phylogeny and classification of the avian superfamily Sylvioidea". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 38 (2): 381–397. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2005.05.015. PMID 16054402. 
2. ^ Nguembock, B; Fjeldsa, J.; Tillier, A.; Pasquet, E. (2007). "A phylogeny for the Cisticolidae (Aves: Passeriformes) based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequence data, and a re-interpretation of a unique nest-building specialization". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 42 (1): 272–286. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2006.07.008. PMID 16949311.