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
One Response
Excellent documentation