Little Bird that Sews

This little, energetic bird called Common Tailorbird gets its name from its exquisite nesting behavior - it sews the leaves together with plant fibers, spider silks, etc to make a cradle-like nest.

Common Tailorbird – Profile

• Scientific Name: Orthotomus sutorius

• Family: Cisticolidae

• Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN Red List)

Habitat

• Found in South and Southeast Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and parts of Thailand and Indonesia.

• Prefers gardens, urban parks, scrublands, open woodlands, and areas near human settlements.

• Adapts well to urban environments and is often seen hopping through shrubs and bushes.

Appearance

• Small bird (approx. 13–14 cm long), with a long upright tail.

• Olive-green upperparts, pale underparts, and a rufous (rust-colored) crown.

• The tail is often cocked upward.

• Males have longer tail feathers during the breeding season.

Food Habits

• Insectivorous – feeds mainly on insects, spiders, and small invertebrates.

• Actively forages in low bushes and undergrowth, flitting about quickly.

• Also occasionally consumes nectar or small fruits.

Nesting Behavior

• Famous for its "tailoring" skills – it pierces the edges of large leaves and "sews" them together using threads made of plant fiber, cobwebs, or silk from insect cocoons.

• The sewn leaves form a pocket, inside which a soft cup-shaped nest is built.

• The female lays 2–4 eggs, usually pale greenish or bluish in color.

• Both parents take part in feeding the chicks.

Calls and Songs

• Very vocal, especially during the breeding season.

• Emits sharp, loud, and repetitive calls like "cheeup-cheeup" or "tew-tew-tew".

• Their calls are often heard in gardens and hedges, even when the bird itself remains hidden.

Conservation Status

• Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN due to its wide distribution and adaptability.

• Not currently facing any major threats.

• Its ability to thrive near humans has helped maintain its population.

Let's keep them quenched this summer. Every summer, keep water bowls wherever you can.