Orthotomus ruficeps
The Ashy Tailorbird, *Orthotomus ruficeps*, is a diminutive and distinctive songbird of Southeast Asia, renowned for its ingenious nest-building prowess. Measuring a mere 10-12 cm in length and weighing around 6-10 grams, this active species sports a striking rufous cap that extends from its forehead to the nape, contrasting sharply with its ashy-grey upperparts and clean whitish underparts. A key field mark is its relatively long tail, often held cocked upwards, and its persistent, loud call...
This tailorbird favors a variety of lowland habitats, including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, secondary growth, forest edges, scrublands, mangroves, and well-vegetated gardens, typically found at elevations below 1,500 meters.
The diet consists primarily of small insects and their larvae, gleaned from foliage. They occasionally consume small spiders and other invertebrates.
Ashy Tailorbirds are highly active and restless birds, typically foraging singly or in pairs during daylight hours, constantly moving through the undergrowth. Their foraging strategy primarily involves gleaning small invertebrates from the undersides of leaves and twigs, often performing agile ho...
The Ashy Tailorbird is widely distributed across much of Southeast Asia, inhabiting regions from southern Myanmar and peninsular Thailand south through Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and across numerous islands of Indonesia and the Philippines. Its Indonesian range includes Sumatra, Borneo (incl...
Least Concern
- The Ashy Tailorbird's scientific name, *Orthotomus*, translates roughly to 'straight cut,' referring to its sharp bill used for nest construction. - Its most famous behavior is stitching leaves together with plant fibers or spider silk to create a secure, camouflaged nest. - Despite its small s...