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) [XC29911]
by David Edwards from Danum Valley, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia (song)
Rufous-tailed Tailorbird (Orthotomus sericeus) [XC150805]
by Mike Nelson from Sepilok Forest Edge Resort, Sepilok, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia (call)
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).