Juvenile Mountain Tailorbirds Phyllergates cucullatus

Amar-Singh HSS
on 21st September 2023

On 21st September 2023, at Gunung Brinchang, Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia, I had an opportunity to see a number of juvenile Mountain Tailorbirds Phyllergates cucullatus. There are not that many observations or images of juveniles. In the Macaulay Library 6 images out of 664 are of juveniles (2 are of an immature bird, the other 4 of older juveniles).

The first bird shown is of a dependent juvenile, still being fed by adults. The next two images are of a juvenile that was self-feeding with no adults around. The last image is of an adult parent of the first bird for comparison.

Image 1: Dependent juvenile, still being fed by adults
Image 2: Self-feeding juvenile (no adults around)
Image 3: Self-feeding juvenile (no adults around)

Juveniles lack the orange-chestnut present in the anterior cap to mid-crown of the adults. They have an olive-grey crown with grey at the nape.
The underparts are pale yellow compared to the bright yellow of adults.
The olive of the upperparts is duller.
The iris appears brown

Image 4: Adult parent for comparison

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

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.

Amar-Singh HSS

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS, Cert Theology (Aust, Hons), MBBS (Mal), MRCP (UK), FRCP (Glasg), MSc Community Paediatrics (Ldn, dist), is a Consultant Paediatrician. He served the Malaysian civil service for more than 35 years, led regional Paediatric and Research departments, is an active child advocate and the recipient of a number of international awards. He has been a bird watcher for around 50 years, published two bird books, has a number of international bird publications, contributed to more than 20 international bird books/guides, and contributes to online bird image and audio databases. He is an active contributor to the Bird Ecology Study Group with a large number of detailed posts and write-ups on bird ecology. He is a life member of the Malaysian Nature Society, a member of the BCC-MNS Records Committee, a member of the Oriental Bird Club and supports eBird. He is interested in spending time getting to know bird behaviour and considers himself a bird-friend. Amar is based at Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.

Other posts by Amar-Singh HSS

Update on Frugivory by the Oriental Magpie-Robin

17th January 2025

Eastern Cattle-Egret Sauna?

16th January 2025

Pied Harrier Defence of Migratory Feeding Territory

13th January 2025

Description of a Juvenile Long-billed Spiderhunter

8th January 2025

Siamang Feeding with a Juvenile

3rd January 2025

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Any views and opinions expressed in the articles 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.

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