What is "tailorbird"

n. A small warbler of the genus ''Orthotomus'', usually brightly coloured, with green or grey upperparts and yellow white or grey underparts.

n. tropical Asian warbler that stitches leaves together to form and conceal its nest [syn: Orthotomus sutorius]

Tailorbirds are small birds with most belonging to the genus '' Orthotomus '' often placed in the Old World warbler family Sylviidae. However, recent research suggests they more likely belong in the Cisticolidae and they are treated as such in Del Hoyo et al. (2006).These are rare species. One species, the mountain tailorbird (and therefore also its sister species rufous-headed tailorbird), is actually closer to an old world warbler genus Cettia.

They occur in the Old World tropics, principally in Asia.

These warblers are usually brightly colored, with green or grey upperparts and yellow white or grey under parts. They often have chest nut on the head.

Tailorbirds have short rounded wings, short tails, strong legs and long curved bills. The tail is typically held upright, like a wren. They are typically found in open woodland, scrub 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's web to make a cradle in which the actual grass nest is built.