Gray-backed Tailorbird
Orthotomus derbianus
A small, long-billed, long-tailed bird of dense tangled undergrowth in lowland forest in southern Luzon and neighboring islands. Has olive-green wings, a pale belly, a gray back and rump, a gray chest and throat with streaks, a rufous cap and tail, and orange legs. Very similar to Green-backed Tailorbird, but has a gray back, throat, and lower belly. Voice includes an explosive note followed by a rattling trill: “plik! Brrrrrrrrrr!”
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Orthotomus derbianus
- Authority
- Moore, F, 1855
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Cisticolidae
- Genus
- Orthotomus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Herero Chat
Namibornis herero
Brown chat with a dark face mask, a pale eyebrow, and very faint streaking on the underparts. Found very locally in a specific microhabitat: the bands of somewhat lusher woodland around the base of rocky escarpments at the edge of the Namib Desert. Usually in pairs. Quiet but distinctive song is a four-note series of mournful whistles. Fairly similar to Familiar Chat, but easily separated by bold face pattern.
Great Thick-knee
Esacus recurvirostris
An odd-looking wader with a dark mask, staring pale eyes, and a large heavy bill. Flashing black-and-white wingtips, revealed in flight, recall those of lapwings. Found on the banks of flowing rivers and lakes with rocky or sandy shores. Usually seen standing still on shore, though can be quite shy, often flushing even at a distance. No similar species in its range and habitat; Beach Thick-Knee is similar, but is found on coastal beaches, mudflats, and exposed reefs. Gives clear, high-pitched “tleeeeLIK!”, often repeated when alarmed.
Outcrop Sabrewing
Campylopterus calcirupicola
Large, rather drab hummingbird, green above and light gray below. Note the white spot behind the eye. Occurs at high elevations in deciduous dry forests on outcrops of limestone. Very similar to Gray-breasted Sabrewing, but ranges do not overlap.
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