Green-backed tailorbird

The green-backed tailorbird (Orthotomus chloronotus), also known as the trilling tailorbird, is a species of bird formerly placed in the "Old World warbler" assemblage, but now placed in the family Cisticolidae. The bird is endemic to the Philippines on the Northern side of the island of Luzon. Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forests, tropical mangrove forests and secondary growth.

Green-backed tailorbird
Trilling tailorbird (left)
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Cisticolidae
Genus:	Orthotomus
Species:	O. chloronotus
Binomial name
Orthotomus chloronotus Ogilvie-Grant, 1895

Description

EBird describes the bird as "A small, long-billed, long-tailed bird of dense tangled undergrowth in lowland and foothill forest and bamboo in northern Luzon. Has olive-green wings, back, and tail, a pale gray belly, a gray chest with streaks, a rufous cap reaching below the eye, and orange legs. Very similar to Gray-backed Tailorbird, but has a white throat and a green back. Gives an explosive note followed by a rattling trill, “jwit! brrrrrrrrrr,” or a sharp note and a descending trill, “wik! Briii-yat!"^[2]

It was formerly conspecific with Philippine tailorbird but differentatied by its green back, darker underparts and stronger trilling call. This species is monotypic.

Ecology and behavior

It is known to feed on small invertebrates. Usually seen foraging in dense undergrowth, typically in pairs.

Breeding season believed to be at least in March to May. Nest is typically placed 2 to 10 meters above the ground on the tip of a branch or leaf of a fern. Like all tailorbirds, nest is complex and sown together to form a pouch. Lays 2 to 3 eggs which are white with reddish and brown spots.^[3]

Habitat and conservation status

It lives in lowland forest edge and clearings and also agricultural land and any secondary growth with tangled undergrowths up to 1,060 meters above sea level.^[4]

IUCN Red List has assessed this as least-concern as it is tolerant, if not more suited to degraded habitat. ^[5][6]