Black-headed tailorbird
Black-headed tailorbird | |
---|---|
Black-headed tailorbird as shown on Philippine postal stamp | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Passeriformes |
Family: | Cisticolidae |
Genus: | Orthotomus |
Species: | O. nigriceps
|
Binomial name | |
Orthotomus nigriceps Tweeddale, 1878
| |
Synonyms[2] | |
|
The black-headed tailorbird (Orthotomus nigriceps), also known as the white-browed tailorbird, is a
The body mass ranges from 8–14 g (0.28–0.49 oz), with an average of 10.3 g (0.36 oz), and is roughly equal in both males and females. The average adult length is 12 cm (4.7 in). Adults have dull black heads, necks, throats, and chests with a prominent white supercilium, line beneath the eye, and chin patch. The lower breast and belly are dull grey, while the upperparts, flanks, and undertail coverts are olive-green and the tail is darker olive-green. Immature birds have the chin, throat, and upper breast whitish with light grey and black mottling, as well as shorter tails. Juveniles have plain grey chins, throats, and upper breasts.
The species is elusive and most commonly seen in pairs in the undergrowth. It feeds on small
Taxonomy
The black-headed tailorbird was
The name of the genus is derived from the Ancient Greek orthotomeō, meaning 'to cut straight'. The specific epithet comes from the Modern Latin niger , meaning 'black', and -ceps , meaning '-headed'.[7] Black-headed tailorbird is the official common name designated by the International Ornithologists' Union (IOU);[8] the species is also known as the white-browed tailorbird.[9]
The black-headed tailorbird currently has two subspecies recognized by the IOU,[8] which differ in the color of their bellies, flanks, and tails.[9]
- O. n. nigriceps Tweeddale, 1878: The nominate subspecies, it is found on eastern Mindanao.[9]
- O. n. luminosus Halley, 2022:[a] Found on Dinagat and Siargao. Has a paler whitish or pale gray belly, brighter yellow flanks, more yellow undertail, and olive-green uppertail.[9]
The black-headed tailorbird is one of 13 species in the tailorbird genus
Description
The black-headed tailorbird are dark tailorbirds with a characteristic head pattern.[9] The body mass ranges from 8–14 g (0.28–0.49 oz), with an average of 10.3 g (0.36 oz), and is roughly equal in both males and females. Older sources erroneously state the mean body mass as being 7 g (0.25 oz). Birds from Mindanao have a lower average body mass, 10.1 g (0.36 oz), than birds from Dinagat and Siargao, who have an average body mass of 10.6 g (0.37 oz).[2] The average adult length is 12 cm (4.7 in).[9] In O. n. nigriceps, the average wing length is 48.3 mm (1.90 in), the mean bill length is 10.8 mm (0.43 in), and the average tail length is 46.3 mm (1.82 in). In O. n. luminosus, the average wing length is 50.8–51.8 mm (2.00–2.04 in), the mean bill length is 10.8–10.9 mm (0.43–0.43 in), and the average tail length is 45.8–46.0 mm (1.80–1.81 in).[2]
Black-headed tailorbirds show three distinct phenotypes, which correspond to different stages of maturity: adults having a 'black phenotype', immatures have a 'mottled phenotype', and juveniles have a 'grey phenotype'.
The species can be told apart from the white-eared tailorbird by its white supercilium, the absence of a white ear-spot, and its paler legs.[9]
Vocalizations
The tailorbird's call is a lengthy, stuttering trills that slows as it flattens out. It is like the song of the yellow-breasted tailorbird, but has a more "metallic ringing quality". Other calls include an anxious, falling 'ssiirrrrpppppp' and a ringing 'key-e ei', the second of which is similar to the long-tailed bush warbler's song.[9]
Distribution and habitat
The black-headed tailorbird is endemic to the southeastern Philippines, where it is found on the islands of Mindanao, Dinagat, and Siargao. On Mindanao, it is known from
Ecology and conservation
The species is elusive and reclusive, most commonly being seen in pairs in the undergrowth and seldom in the open. It feeds on small
The black-headed tailorbird is listed as being of least concern on the IUCN Red List despite its restricted range due to its presumed stable population.[1] It is usually thought to be uncommon or rare, but this perception may be affected by its retiring nature. The species was reported as being "quite common" on Siargao and Dinagat in 1973. It inhabits the Mindanao and the Eastern Visayas Endemic Bird Area; no threats to the species are known.[9]
Notes
References
- ^ . Retrieved 23 March 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Halley, Matthew R. (2 December 2022). "A new subspecies of Black-headed Tailorbird Orthotomus nigriceps (Cisticolidae) and clarification of age-related plumage sequences". Journal of Asian Ornithology. 38: 129–134.
- ^ Hay, Arthur (1877). "Contributions to the Ornithology of the Philippines—No. III. On the collection made by Mr. A. H. Everett in the island of Mindanao". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London (4): 828 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
- ^ Oxford Academic.
- .
- ISSN 0043-0439 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
- ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (24 December 2023). "Grassbirds, Donacobius, tetrakas, cisticolas, allies". IOC World Bird List Version 14.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
- ^ . Retrieved 23 March 2024.
- . Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- .
- ISSN 2550-1909.