Voice
Songs are varied including a rollicking 'do-dee do-dee do-dee', first short note lower pitched, the higher pitched second not dropping in pitch rapidly. Also a rapid 'do-dit-do', first note higher, a sharp high 'dee-dit'. Songs are repetaed continuously.
Rufous-tailed Tailorbird (Orthotomus sericeus) [XC688173]
by Fernando del Valle from Danum Valley, Sabah, Borneo, Indonesia (song)
Rufous-tailed Tailorbird (Orthotomus sericeus) [XC86985]
by David Edwards from Danum Oil Palm, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia (song)
Nest
Two or more leaves bound together with spiders web and lined with fine grass or kapok.
Eggs (Guide)
3 - 4; pink with purplish-red and brownish markings.
Subspecies
The following 4 subspecies are recognised:
sericeus Temminck, 1836 - Borneo and western and south-western Philippines (Busuanga, Culion, Palawan, Balabac, Cagayan Sulu, and southern Sulu islands of Omapoy, Sitanki, Sipangkot, Sibutu and Tumindao).
hesperius Oberholser, 1932 - Extreme southern Myanmar (southern Tenasserim) and southern Thailand south to Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Belitung I.
rubicundulus Chasen & Kloss, 1931 - Natuna Is, including Serasan.
nuntius Bangs, 1922 - Southern Philippines (Balabac, Palawan, Mapun and Sulu Archipelago).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet