Ashy Tailorbird (Orthotomus ruficeps)

OTHER NAMES: Red-headed Tailorbird
Latin Etymology: Orthotomus ("straight piece") ruficeps ("rufous headed")

Adult Ashy Tailorbird (subspecies O. r. cineraceus) at Sungei Buloh, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: Orthotomus ruficeps cineraceus
Weight: 7g  /  Length: 12cm  /  Wingspan: ?
ABSENT FROM UK / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Ashy Tailorbird is primarily a mangrove specialist, which fits with the multiple sightings I had of it at Sungei Buloh.  They are probably the most distinctive looking of the four species of tailorbird found in Singapore, with their grey plumage covering all but their head, unlike the rest which have pale chests and bellies.  They are fairly fidgety birds, rarely staying still for more than a few moments at a time.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Cisticolidae
Genus: Orthotomus
SUBSPECIES: O. r. cineraceus, O. r. baeus, O. r. concinnus, O. r. ruficeps, O. r. palliolatus, O. r. baweanus, O. r. borneoensis, O. r. cagayanensis

 - Sighting Locations -

SINGAPORE - A locally common resident.

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: Fairly common at Sungei Buloh

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutoris)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Orthotomus ("straight piece") sutoris ("fasten together")

Adult Common Tailorbird (subspecies O. s. maculicollis) at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: Orthotomus sutoris maculicollis
Weight: 6-10g  /  Length: 12cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A small active bird, I first encountered this species not far from where I got off the taxi at Genting Highlands, but spent longer that I would have ideally liked to trying to photograph them.  I'd encountered a small flock which unfortunately didn't want to sit still long enough for me to photograph them, and took a number of attempts for me to get something identifiable. The individuals I saw appeared to be young birds - the adults gain a distinctive rust coloured cap and a long tail as they mature.

Related Species:
ORDER: Passeriformes
FAMILY: Cisticolidae
GENUS: Orthotomus
SUBSPECIES: O.s. guzuratus, O. s. patia, O. s. luteus, O. s. fernandonis, O. s. inexpectatus, O. s. longicauda, O. s. maculicollis, O. s. edela

 - Sighting Locations -

MALAYSIA - Malay - Perenjak Pisang ("Banana Warbler")

A fairly common resident.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: A small group seen in Genting Highlands

SINGAPORE - A common resident.

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: Seen around Ang Mo Kio and Gardens by the Bay

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .