Cambodian tailorbird

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Cambodian tailorbird
Orthotomus chaktomuk.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Cisticolidae
Genus: Orthotomus
Species:
O. chaktomuk
Binomial name
Orthotomus chaktomuk
Mahood et al., 2013 [2]

The Cambodian tailorbird (Orthotomus chaktomuk) is a species of bird endemic to Cambodia, likely confined to a single dense shrub habitat in the floodplain of the Mekong river. It was first discovered and recorded by scientists in 2009 in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, during avian influenza checks. In 2013, it was determined to be a unique species and formally described. It is a very small bird, about 10 cm long, with an orange-red tuft on its head.

Contents

Discovery

The Cambodian tailorbird was discovered in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, in 2009, during avian influenza checks. [2] Since then, it has been spotted in various parts of Phnom Penh, including on a construction site where bird researcher Ashish John photographed it. [3] His picture was later used to help describe the bird. [3]

In June 2012, John began collaborating with the Wildlife Conservation Society, BirdLife International, the University of Kansas, Louisiana State University, and the Sam Veasna Centre to test the bird's plumage, genetics, and song. [3] [4] The tests determined that it was a unique species. [5] The paper formally describing the Cambodian tailorbird was published in a special online early-view issue of the Oriental Bird Club's journal Forktail . [2] Its specific name comes from a Khmer word which means four-faces, which describes where the bird is found: in the floodplain where the Bassac River, Mekong, and Tonlé Sap meet. [6]

Description

The Cambodian tailorbird has an orange-red crown, and a black throat. [4] The rest of its body is light and dark gray. It is 11–12 cm (4.3–4.7 in) long and weighs between 6–8 g (0.21–0.28 oz). [7] The Cambodian tailorbird is known for its "loud call", which is similar to that of the dark-necked tailorbird. [4]

Habitat

The Cambodian tailorbird lives in a small area of dense scrubland within the floodplain of the Mekong river. [5] The dense shrub habitat allowed it to remain undetected for so long despite living on the outskirts of a major city. It is one of two bird species endemic to Cambodia, the other being the Cambodian laughingthrush. [3]

The discoverers of the Cambodian tailorbird recommended that it be listed as "near threatened" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. [5] They said it was at risk because its habitat is declining as a result of increased urbanisation. Most newly discovered species are categorised as such. [3]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geography of Cambodia</span>

Cambodia is a country in mainland Southeast Asia. It borders Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, the Gulf of Thailand and covers a total area of approximately 181,035 km2 (69,898 sq mi). The country is situated in its entirety inside the tropical Indomalayan realm and the Indochina Time zone (ICT).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phnom Penh</span> Capital and largest city of Cambodia - economic hub for Cambodia

Phnom Penh is the capital and most populous city of Cambodia. It has been the national capital since the French protectorate of Cambodia and has grown to become the nation's primate city and its economic, industrial, and cultural centre. Before Phnom Penh became capital city, Oudong was the capital of the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tailorbird</span> Genus of birds

Tailorbirds are small birds, most belonging to the genus Orthotomus. While they were often placed in the Old World warbler family Sylviidae, recent research suggests they more likely belong in the Cisticolidae and they are treated as such in Del Hoyo et al. One former species, the mountain tailorbird, is actually closer to an old world warbler genus Cettia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common tailorbird</span> Species of bird

The common tailorbird is a songbird found across tropical Asia. Popular for its nest made of leaves "sewn" together and immortalized by Rudyard Kipling as Darzee in his Jungle Book, it is a common resident in urban gardens. Although shy birds that are usually hidden within vegetation, their loud calls are familiar and give away their presence. They are distinctive in having a long upright tail, greenish upper body plumage and rust coloured forehead and crown. This passerine bird is typically found in open farmland, scrub, forest edges and gardens. Tailorbirds get their name from the way their nest is constructed. The edges of a large leaf are pierced and sewn together with plant fibre or spider silk to make a cradle in which the actual nest is built. Punjab tailor birds produce shiny red eggs, but became extinct around 1975 due to laying their eggs in fields used to grow fodder crops.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giant ibis</span> Species of bird

The giant ibis is a wading bird of the ibis family, Threskiornithidae. It is confined to northern Cambodia, with a few birds surviving in extreme southern Laos and a recent sighting in Yok Đôn National Park, Vietnam. It is sometimes placed in the genus Thaumatibis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildlife of Cambodia</span> Flora and fauna of Cambodia

The wildlife of Cambodia is very diverse with at least 162 mammal species, 600 bird species, 176 reptile species, 900 freshwater fish species, 670 invertebrate species, and more than 3000 plant species. A single protected area, Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary, is known to support more than 950 total species, including 75 species that are listed as globally threatened on the IUCN Red List. An unknown amount of species remains to be described by science, especially the insect group of butterflies and moths, collectively known as lepidopterans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dark-necked tailorbird</span> Species of bird

The dark-necked tailorbird is a songbird species. Formerly placed in the "Old World warbler" assemblage, it is now placed in the family Cisticolidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-eared tailorbird</span> Species of bird

The white-eared tailorbird is a species of bird formerly placed in the "Old World warbler" assemblage, it but now placed in the family Cisticolidae.It is found in the Philippine islands of Basilan and West Mindanao.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black-headed tailorbird</span> Species of songbird

The black-headed tailorbird, also known as the white-browed tailorbird, is a species of songbird in the cisticola family, Cisticolidae. First formally described by the Scottish ornithologist Arthur Hay in 1877, it is endemic to the southeastern Philippines, where it is found on the islands of Mindanao, Dinagat, and Siargao. It inhabits dense undergrowth in lowland forests at elevations of up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft). Black-headed tailorbirds show three distinct phenotypes, which correspond to different stages of maturity: adults have a 'black' phenotype, immature birds have a 'mottled' phenotype, and juveniles have a 'grey' phenotype. These phenotypes were previously incorrectly thought to be related to sex or representing different species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-breasted tailorbird</span> Species of bird

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mekong wagtail</span> Species of bird

The Mekong wagtail is a species of bird in the family Motacillidae. It was first described in 2001 and named in honour of the late Cambodian ornithologist Sam Veasna. It is a black and white bird, similar in appearance to the African pied wagtail, although their ranges do not overlap. Its facial features and distinctive voice distinguish it from other black and white wagtails in southeastern Asia.

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The Chaktomuk Conference Hall is a theatre located in the city of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The fan-shaped hall is one of the most iconic works of famous Cambodian architect Vann Molyvann and was since its construction in 1961 one of the "landmarks and infrastructures of the newly independent nation".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trilling tailorbird</span> Species of bird

The trilling tailorbird or green-backed tailorbird is a species of bird formerly placed in the "Old World warbler" assemblage, but now placed in the family Cisticolidae. The bird is endemic to the northern Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elephant ear gourami</span> Species of fish

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The year 2013 in birding and ornithology.

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References

  1. BirdLife International (2017) [amended version of 2016 assessment]. "Orthotomus chaktomuk". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017: e.T103778254A112425450. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T103778254A112425450.en . Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 Mahood, S.P.; A.J.I. John; J.C. Eames; C.H. Oliveros; R.G. Moyle; Hong Chamnan; C.M. Poole; H. Nielsen; F.H. Sheldon (2013). "A new species of lowland tailorbird (Passeriformes: Cisticolidae: Orthotomus) from the Mekong floodplain of Cambodia" (PDF). Forktail. 29: 1–14. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-09-28. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Cambodian tailorbird: new species discovered in Phnom Penh". The Guardian. 2013-06-26. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
  4. 1 2 3 "Cambodian Tailorbird". AFP. June 26, 2013. Archived from the original on June 29, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 "Cambodian tailorbird: A new species seen in Phnom Penh". BBC News. 2013-06-26. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
  6. Fowlie, Martin (2013-06-26). "Hiding in plain sight: New species of bird discovered in capital city". IUCN Red List. Retrieved 2013-06-27.
  7. "Cambodian Tailorbird". Birds of the World. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. doi:10.2173/bow.camtai1.01. S2CID   216267459 . Retrieved 19 January 2021.