Rufous-tailed Tailorbird
Orthotomus sericeus
Typical tailorbird, with an often-cocked-up tail, long bill, and active disposition. Gray above and white below, with an orange-brown crown and tail. Unlike similar Ashy Tailorbird, which has a gray tail, females and males essentially look alike. Inhabits open forests and forest edge, including shrubby gardens and field edges, where it keeps to dense vegetation. Often engages in flycatching behavior from a low perch. Calls are variable and include a nasal “dee-dee-dee-dee”, as well as an odd, echoing note that resembles that of a water droplet. Song is loud, ringing, and repetitive.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Orthotomus sericeus
- Authority
- Temminck, 1836
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Cisticolidae
- Genus
- Orthotomus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Wood Thrush
Hylocichla mustelina
Boldly patterned thrush is bright rusty-brown above with black spots on the white belly. Smaller than a robin, but larger than Hermit Thrush. Sticks to wooded areas, often hopping on the ground. More often heard than seen: listen for its incredible, flute-like song. Population is declining; winters in Central America.
Rufous Songlark
Cincloramphus mathewsi
Plain brownish songbird with faint pale eyebrow and rust-colored rump. Similar female White-winged Triller has white-edged wing panel. Brown Songlark larger, with longer legs and bill and more strongly patterned upperparts. Found across much of Australia, less so in the southeast, in treeless open habitats. Spectacular song includes long sequences of trills and loud electrical phrases, very unlike Brown Songlark.
Great Black Hawk
Buteogallus urubitinga
Uncommon in forest, marshes, and mangroves, where usually greatly outnumbered by similar Common Black Hawk. Slightly larger and lankier than Common Black Hawk, with longer legs and tail, and adults of the two species have very different calls in flight. Adult Great Black has 2 white tail bands (1 on Common) and less extensive yellow in face. Immature looks whiter-headed than Common (no big black moustaches), and its longer tail has narrower and more numerous pale bars. Usually warier than Common, which can be quite unconcerned by people.
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