To finish off our "Tailorbird Series" we show showcase the other tailorbirds found in other islands besides Luzon and Mindanao.
This is the Rufous-tailed Tailorbird, probably the easiest tailorbird to see and photograph in the Philippines. It is also a non-endemic and can be seen in other Asian countries, but in the Philippines, it is confined only to Palawan.
Rufous-tailed Tailorbird from Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
Then we have this very nice looking skulker, the Yellow-breasted Tailorbird endemic to the islands of Bohol , Leyte and Samar. It is quite similar to Mindanao endemics White-eared and Black-headed Tailorbird. Yellow-breasted Tailorbird from Rajah Sikatuna NP, Bohol
Then we have the Philippine Tailorbird that ranges only in Negros and Panay and Guimaras Islands and then the highly restricted Ashy Tailorbird from the small islands in Cagayancillo in the Sulu Sea.
That is it! All the tailorbirds of the Philippines. Indeed, the Philippines is one of centers of tailorbird biodiversity.
Part 1 here: Tailorbirds of LuzonPart 2 here: Tailorbirds of Mindanao
Happy birding!
The Philippines is one of the countries in the world with very high biodiversity when it comes to tailorbirds. In the new and updated list of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, we have 11 tailorbird species, with 8 species endemic to the Philippines. The one featured here is a Rufous-fronted Tailorbird, endemic to the islands of Mindanao, Samar, Leyte, Bohol and satellites.
Rufous-fronted Tailorbird, Orthotomus frontalis
March 2013, PICOP, Surigao del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines
The Rufous-headed Tailorbird is one of the 10 tailorbirds ranging in the Philippines. The one featured here is a high elevation Mindanao endemic and can be seen singly, in pairs or sometimes in mixed flocks in montane forests above 800 meters. It was previously lumped with Mountain Tailorbird but some naturalists treat this heterolaemus race as a separate species based on the differences in plumage and bird calls from birds from Luzon and Palawan.
This individual was videoed in one of the country's best birding spots: Mt. Kitanglad Range in Bukidnon, Mindanao, Southern Philippines.
Digiscoping note: Here is an example of a bird that is difficult to photograph using a digiscoping set-up. Firstly, this bird is very small, 4 1/2 inches from the tip of the beak to the end of the tail so getting it to fill the frame will be quite a challenge. Secondly, this tailorbird is very active and skittish and will not perch on a spot for very long so you'll have to be quick in order to get usable shots. It is very difficult to get but it can be done with the right equipment, lots of patience and practice (and luck). It also pays to know the habit of the bird so you can somewhat predict where the bird will perch next. Happy digiscoping!
Rufous-headed Tailorbird, Orthotomus heterolaemus
September 2010, Mt. Kitanglad Range, Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines
