Plain Prinia (Prinia inornata)

OTHER NAMES: Plain Wren-warbler, White-browed Wren-warbler
Latin Etymology: Prinia (originally Javan name for Bar-winged Prinia) inornata ("plain")

Adult breeding plumage Plain Prinia (subspecies P. i. herberti) at Phnom Krom, Cambodia - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: Prinia inornata herberti
Weight: 6-9g  /  Length: 11-15cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Plain Prinia is a small long-tailed warbler found over Soutern Asia, unlike most Eurasian Warblers it's plumage is similar in both genders but changes with the seasons, with this Winter bird being grey backed while they change to a warm nut brown back while in the Summer.  They are primarily lowland birds, and so it is fairly typical that this bird was sighted in a bush at Phnom Krom.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Cisticolidae
Genus: Prinia
SUBSPECIES: P. i. terricolor, P. e. inornata, P. i. franklinii, P. i. insularis, P. i. fusca, P. i. extrensicauda, P. i. blanfordi, P. i. herberti, P. i. flavirostris, P. i. blythi

 - Sighting Locations -

CAMBODIA - Khmer name: ចាបដង្កូវចិញ្ចើមស ("white feathers")

Locally resident

SINGAPORE / CAMBODIA 2019 TRIP - One at Phnom Krom

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

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 .

Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis)

OTHER NAMES: Fan-tailed Warbler

Latin Etymology: Cisticola ("rose-rock dweller") juncidis ("reed")

Adult Zitting Cisticola (subspecies C. j. cisticola) in Seville, Spain - November 2011

Featured Subspecoes: Cisticola juncidis cisticola
Weight: 5-12g  /  Length: 10cm  /  Wingspan: 12-15cm
ABSENT FROM UK / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Zitting Cisticola is also known as the Fan-Tailed Warbler, and indeed, this was it's only name until recently renamed so as to avoid confusion with an American species of the same name.  It is now named to match up with the other cisticola species.  They are a fairly common resident species in Iberia, usually associated with water and best detected by their calls.  However, once they reveal themselves they are generally fairly easy to at least catch a glimpse of.  In Winter they are one of the few warbler species to remain in their range, but in Summer a bit more caution is needed as other species arrive.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Cisticolidae
Genus: Cisticola
Subspecies: C. j. cisticola, C. j. juncidis, C. j. neuroticus, C. j. uropygialis, C. j. terrestris, C. j. cursitans, C. j. salimalii, C. j. omalurus, C. j. malaya, C. j. brunniceps, C. j. tinnabulans, C. j. nigrostriatus, C. j. fuscicapilla, C. j. constans, C. j. norman, C. j. leanyeri, C. j. laveryi

 - Sighting Locations -

SPAIN - Spanish - Buitrón 
A fairly common bird usually found near water.

 - SEVILLE 2011 TRIP: Birds seen in Seville and El Rocio.

 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Several seen and heard around Arrocampo

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