Tailorbird Common (Orthotomus sutorius) nest tailored – India

Full Size

20080902 The amazing Tailorbird is justly named but perhaps it should be called a riveter.  The nest is made by curling a growing leaf and stitching it together with fibre or as can be seen joined by a series of rivets.  This is achieved without killing the leaf.  Once curled into a cone shape it is filled with bedding for the eggs.

20081006 I had the unique photo opportunity to monitor the life of the Common Tailorbird.  A dear friend, Sue Khan, informed me that a little bird was nesting in a pot plant in her garden.  This is one of a series of rare photos showing the birds stitching skills, eggs and pulls in the nest recorded over several days.

20200214 Sadly we heard that Sue had passed away after several years of a gallant fight against cancer in USA; condolences to Skaukat and family.