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Tailorbirds
Family Sylviidae
Genus Orthotomus

Tailorbirds get their name from the nests that they make. They sew a pouch of green living leaves for their nest. First, the leaf is curled together by twisting spider web strands around it. Then the edges are joined together by making tiny holes on the edges of leaf with their pointed bills. Through the holes, they lace through fibres from bark, cottony seed fibres (e.g., kapok) or spider webs. The opposite ends of these fibres are teased into balls (not knotted together as some suggest). Some have described the method more as riveting the leaf edges rather than sewing.
Mangrove and wetland wildlife at
Sungei Buloh Nature Park
Main features: Small, mainly olive or grey; long tail usually held cocked; bill long; legs long.

Status in Singapore: 4 species are found in Singapore.

Nest of a Tailorbird
World distribution: India and Southeast Asia.

Classification: Family Sylviidae (including Warblers and Babblers). This family is mostly found in the Old World. World 552 species, Singapore 19 species.
They apparently prefer to use a single large leaf, sewing the edges of the leaf together. Otherwise, up to 3 smaller leaves may be sewn together. In the resulting pouch, Tailorbirds place grass, lined with kapok and other soft fluffy seeds (e.g., lallang grass seeds).

Living leaves are stronger than dead leaves and provides a snug and waterproof home, which is also well camouflaged. Usually, it is the female that sews the nest together.

2-6 pale blue eggs are laid and both parents incubate and raise the young. Chicks fledge in about 2 weeks.

 REFERENCES
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  • G W H Davison and Chew Yen Fook, "A Photographic Guide to Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore", New Holland Publishers Ltd., 1995 (p. 108-10: identification, status in Singapore, distribution, photos of various tailorbirds).
  • Lim Kim Seng and Dana Gardner, "Birds: An Illustrated Field Guide to the Birds of Singapore", Sun Tree Publishing Ltd., 1997 (p. 110: identification, status in Singapore, distribution, diagram, number of species of various tailorbirds).
  • Clive Briffett, "A Guide to the Common Birds of Singapore", BP Science Centre,1992 (p. 116: habit, habitat of the Dark Necked Tailorbird, O. atrogularis ).
  • Christopher Hails, "Birds of Singapore" illustrated by Frank Jarvis, Times Editions, 1987 reprinted 1995 (p. 132-5: habits, description, status in Singapore, and lovely drawings of various tailorbirds).
  • M W F Tweedie, "Common Birds of the Malay Peninsula", Longman,1970 (p. 48-50: description, distribution, habits, habitat, drawing).
  • G C Madoc, "An Introduction to Malayan Birds", Malayan Nature Society, 1947 (p. 176-179: description, habits, habitat).
  • Sir John A S Bucknill and E N Chasen, " Birds of Singapore and South-East Asia", Tynron Press, 1927, edition 1990 (p. 195-196: identification, status in Singapore, distribution, field notes on habits, drawings).
  • Dr. Harold G Cogger (et. al), "Encyclopedia of Animals"; Warblers and Flycatchers by C. Perrins, 1993 (p. 413: habits).
  • David Attenborough, "The Life of Birds", Princeton University Press, 1998 (p. 233-4: habits and photo of a tailorbird making its nest).
 
By Ria Tan, 2001