Scientific Name: Orthotomus sutorius

IUCN Status: Least Concern

A lime-lemon hued fusion back, a rust-red crown and a relatively prominent beak characterize this species of songbird, a commonplace sighting in gardens in Sri Lanka. A vocally exuberant “tuui-tuui…” and “whee-whee…” is the call of the cosmopolitan species, which can cause a drumming of the ears. The absence of rufous hind head parts and a yellow vent provision the Common Tailorbird inimitability in external appearance. The long tail also changes angles as it hops from plant to plant gifting the onlookers ocular candy for the visual senses.

The range of this dainty species spans South Asia, South-East Asia all the way to some islands of the Indonesian archipelago. The common tailorbird is found as pairs and as familial flocks in all climatic zones of Sri Lanka. The charismatic bird sews together a nest from leaves where it leaves 2-3 eggs to hatch, forming the etymology of its “sartorial” name.

Source: E-Bird