Orthotomus sutorius
The Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius) is a petite and vibrant passerine belonging to the family Cisticolidae, renowned for its extraordinary nest-building prowess. Averaging 10-14 cm in length and weighing 6-10 grams, it sports bright olive-green upperparts, creamy-white underparts, and a distinctive rufous-orange crown and forehead that often extends to the ear coverts, providing an excellent field mark. Its relatively long, often cocked tail is another key identifier. While both sexes...
Found in a variety of open wooded habitats, including gardens, scrubland, open forests, cultivated areas, and urban parks, particularly where dense undergrowth is present. Typically found at low to moderate elevations, usually below 1500 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on small insects, larvae, and insect eggs gleaned from foliage. Occasionally consumes nectar from flowers.
The Common Tailorbird is an energetic and restless bird, constantly flitting through foliage in search of insects. It forages primarily by gleaning small insects and their larvae from leaves and twigs, occasionally hovering to snatch prey. Highly territorial, pairs will vigorously defend their br...
The Common Tailorbird boasts an extensive distribution across tropical Asia, being a widespread and common resident throughout much of the Indian subcontinent, including India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Its range extends eastward across Southeast Asia, encompassing Myanmar, Thailand, Laos...
Least Concern
- The Common Tailorbird's name is derived directly from its incredible nest-building technique, where it literally 'tailors' leaves together. - It uses plant fibers, spider silk, or even human-made thread to stitch the edges of large, live leaves, creating a protective cradle for its soft nest cu...