tailorbird

{{Short description|Genus of birds}}

{{Automatic taxobox

| name = Tailorbird

| image = Orthotomus sutorius.jpg

| image_caption = Common tailorbirds (Orthotomus sutorius)

| taxon = Orthotomus

| authority = Horsfield, 1821

| type_species = Orthotomus sepium{{cite web |url= https://www.aviansystematics.org/4th-edition-checklist?viewfamilies=164 |title= Cisticolidae |author= |date= |website= aviansystematics.org |publisher= The Trust for Avian Systematics |access-date= 2023-07-15}}

| type_species_authority = Horsfield, 1821

| subdivision_ranks = Species

| subdivision = See text

}}

Tailorbirds are small birds, most belonging to the genus Orthotomus. While they were often placed in the Old World warbler family Sylviidae, recent research suggests they more likely belong in the Cisticolidae and they are treated as such in Del Hoyo et al.{{cite book

|editor=Del Hoyo, J.

|editor2=Elliot, D.

|editor3=Christie A.

|year=2008

|title=Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 11: Old World Flycatchers to Old World Warblers

|publisher=Lynx Edicions, Barcelona

|isbn=978-84-96553-42-2

}}

One former species, the mountain tailorbird (and therefore also its sister species rufous-headed tailorbird), is actually closer to an old world warbler genus Cettia.{{cite journal

|last=Alström

|first=Per

|author2=Ericson, P.G.P.

|author3=Olsson, U.

|author4= Sundberg, P.

|year=2006

|title=Phylogeny and classification of the avian superfamily Sylvioidea

|url=

|journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution

|volume=38

|issue=2

|pages=381–397

|doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2005.05.015

|pmid=16054402

|bibcode=2006MolPE..38..381A

}}

They occur in the Old World tropics, principally in Asia.

These warblers are usually brightly colored, with green or grey upper parts and yellow white or grey under parts. They often have chestnut on the head.

Tailorbirds have short rounded wings, short tails, strong legs and long curved bills. The tail is typically held upright, like a wren. They are typically found in open woodland, scrub and gardens.

Tailorbirds get their name from the way their nest is constructed. The edges of a large leaf are pierced and sewn together with plant fibre or spider's web to make a cradle in which the actual grass nest is built.

File:Tailorbird baby.jpg