Ashy Tailorbird (Orthotomus ruficeps) [XC730734]
by GABRIEL LEITE from Kinabatangan District (near Kinabatangan), Bahagian Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia (song)
Ashy Tailorbird (Orthotomus ruficeps) [XC498827]
by Hans Matheve from North Siberut, Kepulauan Mentawai, West Sumatra, Indonesia (song)
Subspecies
Formerly considered conspecific with Olive-backed Tailorbird (Orthotomus sepium), but the two behave as separate species where they meet (in Java). For some time there was much confusion over the names of these two and Rufous-tailed Tailorbird (Orthotomus sericeus). As a consequence, some statements in recent literature are incorrect or require confirmation, including reputed occurrence of present species in southern Vietnam (Cochinchina).
The following 9 subspecies are recognised:
cineraceus Blyth, 1845 - Extreme southern Myanmar (southern Tenasserim), southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Bangka and Belitung.
baeus Oberholser, 1912 - Nias and Pagai Is (off western Sumatra).
concinnus Riley, 1927 - Siberut and Sipura (off western Sumatra).
borneoensis Salvadori, 1874 - Borneo.
cagayanensis Riley, 1935 - Cagayan Sulu (off northern Borneo).
ruficeps (Lesson, 1830) - Java.
baweanus Hoogerwerf, 1962 - Bawean I (north of Java).
palliolatus Chasen & Kloss, 1932 - Kangean Is and Karimunjawa Is (off northern Java).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet