| Grey-backed tailorbird | |
|---|---|
| |
| Conservation status | |
 Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Cisticolidae |
| Genus: | Orthotomus |
| Species: | O. derbianus |
| Binomial name | |
| Orthotomus derbianus Moore, F, 1855 | |
The gray-backed tailorbird (Orthotomus derbianus) is a species of bird formerly placed in the "Old World warbler" assemblage, it but now placed in the family Cisticolidae. It is endemic to the Philippines found only on the islands of Luzon and Catanduanes.
Description and taxonomy
Ebrd describes this species as "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!”
Subspecies
Two subspecies are recognized:
- O. d. derbianus - Central and South Luzon
- O. d. nilesi - Catanduanes
In 1958, a specimen was collected on Palawan and there have been no records on the island since. It is presumed to be a result of some aberrant movement or an error.
Ecology and behavior
It is known to feed on small inverterates. Usually seen foraging in dense undergrowth, typically in pairs. There is no breeding information on this bird aside from a reported nest in March.
Habitat and conservation
It is endemic to the Philippines, ranging across most of the islands. Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forest and tropical moist montane forest as high as 2,480 meters above sea level.
It is assessed as a Least-concern species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as it is fairly common in its range and tolerant of disturbed habitat.
References
- BirdLife International (2017). "Orthotomus derbianus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T22714994A118737310. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22714994A118737310.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- "Gray-backed Tailorbird - eBird". ebird.org. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
- Madge, Steve (2020). "Gray-backed Tailorbird (Orthotomus derbianus), version 1.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.gybtai1.01. ISSN 2771-3105.
| Taxon identifiers | |
|---|---|
| Orthotomus derbianus | |
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