The rufous-tailed tailorbird is a species of bird formerly placed in the "Old World warbler" assemblage, it but now placed in the family Cisticolidae. It is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical mangrove forest.
Region
Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
It inhabits subtropical to tropical moist lowland forests, mangroves, and dense secondary scrub. The species is widespread in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. It prefers thick vegetation near forest edges, riverine thickets, and coastal mangroves where it can forage close to the ground. It also occurs in plantations and semi-urban green spaces provided sufficient understory persists.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Rufous-tailed tailorbirds are energetic skulkers of dense undergrowth and mangroves across Southeast Asia. Like other tailorbirds, they sew or stitch leaves together with plant fibers or spider silk to form a pouch-like nest. They often remain low and hidden but give themselves away with sharp scolding calls. This species adapts well to secondary growth and forest edges, which helps keep its populations stable.
Temperament
active and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low over vegetation
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs that maintain small territories within dense understory. Pairs construct a leaf-sewn nest using plant fibers or spider silk, typically placed low in shrubs. They may join mixed-species flocks in edge habitats but remain close to cover.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of sharp, metallic chips and scolds interspersed with thin, high-pitched notes. The song is repetitive and penetrating, often delivered from concealed perches within thick vegetation.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with a warm rufous tail and uppertail coverts; underparts pale grey to whitish with buffy flanks. Feathers are smooth and sleek, giving a neat appearance despite the long, often cocked tail.
Diet
Primarily small arthropods such as insects, caterpillars, beetles, and spiders gleaned from leaves and twigs. It frequently inspects curled leaves and tangles where prey hides. Occasional small berries may be taken but form a minor part of the diet.
Preferred Environment
Forages in dense shrubs, understory thickets, and mangrove tangles from near ground level up to mid-story. Often works methodically through foliage along forest edges and in secondary growth.
