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© Nesting Common Tailorbirds – One Full Circle Part 3

on 21st July 2019

Part 1; Part 2; Part 3: Sexing by calls and tails.

“Little brown birds (10.5-13cm) that cock their tails like Wrens; these Common Tailorbirds (Orthotomus sutorius) are commonly seen and often found in pairs in P. Malaysia (above, below).

“Contact callings frequently heard from both sexes with breeding males communicating more noisily and vigorously to get the attention of females.

“Otto and Satori – the breeding pair I named, had been under my watch. I had become acquainted to their visiting calls- quite similar to the rhythmic music of clucking castanets- of a professional Flamenco dancer. (Variation calls at LINK with gratitude from numerous Recordists.)

“While male calls observed to be more intense and loud and often territorial, both sexes spot similar plumages with an anatomical exception in breeding males.

“Tails of breeding male Orthotomus sutorius are known to have central feathers (T1) 3-16 mm beyond lateral tail feathers (T2) and this is no exception for Otto-having similarly elongated, two central feathers at T1and sometimes split to look like tuning fork (above).

“Satori- female on the other hand, spots a tail that is graduated (above).

“Both male and female had the ability to cork their tails 90 degrees perpendicular to their backs -at times… capable for more.

“Five pairs of under, lateral tail feathers were noted to be brown in colour, with dark tips to contrast downy, white featherings at rear end below (above).

“Upper tail feathers of Otto and Satori appear to range from variable shades of olive to brown (above, below).

“While on the subject of tails, fresh day old fledglings of Orthotomus sutorius have NO tails to show ….not yet (below).


“In Part 4, Otto and Satori will go on a plumage parade to showcase its features, plumage attire and revealing bare parts… a bit more that meets the eye.

“Show time coming up…”

AVIAN WRITER DAISY O’NEILL
Penang Malaysia
12th July 2019

Copy of Copyright article and all Images – Courtesy of Daisy O’Neill Bird Conservation Fund

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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