The yellow-breasted tailorbird is a species of passerine bird formerly placed in the "Old World warbler" assemblage, but now placed in the family Cisticolidae. This species is endemic to Philippines on the islands of Bohol, Samar and Leyte. It is known for its bright color relative to other tailorbirds with a yellow body and a striking black head with a white spot under its chin. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Region
Eastern and Central Visayas, Philippines
Typical Environment
Occupies tropical moist lowland forests, favoring dense understory, vine tangles, and secondary growth along forest edges. Often found in thickets, bamboo stands, and along forested streams where cover is abundant. It tolerates some disturbed habitats if dense shrub layers persist, but depends on contiguous forest for stable populations. Patchiness of suitable habitat strongly limits its local distribution.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A leaf-sewing specialist, it stitches living leaves together with plant fibers to hide a pouch-like nest. It is unusually bright for a tailorbird, with a vivid yellow breast and a bold black head marked by a small white throat spot. The species is restricted to a few Philippine islands and is highly sensitive to lowland forest loss and fragmentation.
A specimen from the Naturalis Biodiversity Center
Temperament
shy but active in dense cover
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups moving through low vegetation. Pairs defend small territories during breeding and construct leaf-sewn nests concealed in shrubs. Cooperative behavior is limited, though family parties may linger after fledging.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A fast, high-pitched series of tinkling trills and sharp chips delivered from low perches. Calls include scolding notes when disturbed, often given from deep cover.
Plumage
Bright yellow underparts with olive-green upperparts and a contrasting black hood. Feathers are sleek and close-fitting, with a long, often cocked, graduated tail. A small white spot under the chin stands out against the black head.
Diet
Primarily small insects and other arthropods such as beetles, caterpillars, and spiders. It gleans prey from leaves and stems, often inspecting the undersides of foliage. Occasionally hawks short distances to snatch flushed insects and will probe into rolled leaves and leaf-litter tangles.
Preferred Environment
Feeds within dense understory, vine tangles, and bamboo where foliage is thick. Often forages along forest edges and streamside thickets where insect activity is high, staying within a few meters of the ground.
