samchang

Hi, can anyone teach me how to differentiate them? I bet I have seen both in TPK in the past month, but I don't know how to be certain. Is the color of the throat the most significant, or really the length of beak and tail (which seems difficult to say what is long/short). Pls advise. Thanks!

puppymic

I think it would be easier to see the different when comparing two pictures together. Common Tailorbird has a longer tail and greenish back

長尾縫葉鶯 Common Tailorbird


紅頭穗眉 Rufous-capped babbler

samchang

Mandy, thanks! It seems the color of the face and neck is different as well. Can I say that Common Tailorbird is generally white on face and neck with black marks, while Babbler is more brown-liked?

puppymic

You are right

A better photo of rufous-capped babbler from another HKBWS member

http://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/view ... &extra=page%3D1

ajohn

Behaviour and calls of the two species are completely different as well.
The babbler is usually in a flock, often with other species, and usually gives a distinctive five-note call. They tend to stay at about head-height. Tailorbirds are not always in flocks (but sometimes join flocks of other species) and give a variety of different calls. They can be anywhere from ground-level to the tree canopy.

samchang

Thanks John and Mandy!