Common Tailorbird

Overview

The common tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius) is a songbird found across tropical and subtropical Asia. It is a common resident in urban gardens and is well known for its nest constructed by sewing leaves together.

Identification

• Bright green upperparts and creamy underparts with a rufous crown.
• Size ranges from 10 to 14 centimetres with a long, upright tail that is often moved around.
• Short rounded wings, strong legs, and a sharp bill with a curved tip on the upper mandible.
• Loud song consisting of a repeated disyllabic 'cheeup-cheeup-cheeup'.

Habitat

Typically found in open farmland, scrub, forest edges, and gardens across South and Southeast Asia. The species is present in regions ranging from Sri Lanka and the Indian subcontinent to parts of China and Southeast Asia, often close to human habitation.

Diet

Insectivorous, foraging singly or in pairs for beetles and bugs in low undergrowth or on the ground. They are attracted to insects at flowers, particularly favouring the inflorescences of mango, and may become covered in pollen while visiting nectar.

Did you know?

The bird was immortalised by Rudyard Kipling as Darzee, the tailorbird couple in The Jungle Book, although the feigned injury attributed to Darzee's wife in the story is unknown in this species.