Olive-backed Tailorbird
Orthotomus sepium
Small and active little songbird of lowland and foothill areas, where it inhabits forest edge, gardens, scrubby areas, and secondary growth. Grayish overall, with an orange face, long thin bill, and frequently cocked tail. Sexes generally similar, but female has a whiter throat and is aler overall. Extremely similar to the closely related Ashy Tailorbird, but note present species’ faint olive-green wash on the upperparts and yellowish tinge to the belly. All vocalizations are very similar to those of Ashy Tailorbirds: song is a bright, wet-sounding “wee’chup!”, often given in series and duets, and calls include a high-pitched nasal bleating and rattling trills.
Identification
It is small, with a rust-colored head.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Orthotomus sepium
- Authority
- Horsfield, 1821
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Cisticolidae
- Genus
- Orthotomus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
It is often seen in groups, and is known to engage in group vocalizations.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo
Zanda latirostris
Black cockatoo with white ear patch and white tail panel, found in the southwestern corner of Western Australia, where it inhabits a wide variety of habitats, including woodlands, pine plantations, farmland, and urban parks. The very similar Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo has much longer upper mandible. Calls include mournful, wailing cries, as well as loud, rough screeches.
Sooty Shrikethrush
Colluricincla tenebrosa
A little-known, medium-sized bird of mid-montane forest thickets. Overall deep, sooty-brown color. Perches for long periods, scanning for insects. Skulking and difficult to see. Similar to Black Pitohui, and somewhere between the color of the black male and brown female, but Sooty Shrikethrush is smaller. Similar size various species of the Little Shrike-Thrush complex, but darker and found at higher elevation. Voice is little known, but apparently gives a loud, metallic alarm call.
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher
Mionectes oleagineus
Rather plain, inconspicuous small flycatcher of humid tropical forest; also wanders into adjacent clearings and semiopen areas with fruiting bushes and trees. Usually found singly at lower to middle levels in shady understory and at times with mixed-species feeding flocks. Feeds mainly on fruit, plucked by short sallies. Plain olive plumage with ochre belly is distinctive. Also has habit of lifting one wing at a time and moving head slowly back and forth.
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