The Cambodian Tailorbird: A Unique Discovery

What is the Cambodian Tailorbird?

The Cambodian Tailorbird, scientific name Orthotomus chaktomuk, is a small passerine bird in the family Cisticolidae. It was formally described in 2013 after having been discovered earlier in Phnom Penh in 2009. HandWiki+4Wikipedia+4BBC+4

Physically, the bird is modest in size (about 11–12 cm long, weighing approximately 6–8 grams) and is wren‑sized. Its distinguishing features include:

• An orange‑red (rufous) crown / tuft atop its head;
• A black throat;
• Gray and light/dark gray body plumage elsewhere. HandWiki+3Wikipedia+3Animalia+3
• A loud call that has similarities to calls of related tailorbird species, such as the dark‑necked tailorbird. BioMed Central+2BBC+2

The name chaktomuk is derived from Khmer for “four faces / four mouths,” referring to the point where the three rivers – the Mekong, Tonlé Sap, and Bassac – meet in Phnom Penh (creating four faces of land/water). This is also roughly the region where the species is found. Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia+2Wikipedia+2

Where Does It Come From? Discovery and Taxonomy

• It was first spotted in 2009 during routine avian influenza surveillance in Phnom Penh. Initially, birds similar to it were misidentified as other tailorbird species. BBC+2Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia+2
• Over subsequent years more observations were made, including on the outskirts of the city and in scrub habitats in the adjacent floodplain. Morphological, genetic, and vocal (song) analyses showed that it is distinct from its closest relatives. It was described as a new species in 2013. Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia+3The World from PRX+3BioMed Central+3

Genetically, the Cambodian Tailorbird is closely related to the Dark‑necked Tailorbird (Orthotomus atrogularis) with moderate divergence in mitochondrial DNA sequences. BioMed Central+1

Habitat and Distribution

• The Cambodian Tailorbird is endemic to Cambodia: it is not naturally found in any other country. Wikipedia+2Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia+2
• Its habitat is quite specific: dense scrub / lowland shrubland within floodplains, especially around Phnom Penh, including areas where the hydrology of the rivers (Mekong, Tonlé Sap, Bassac) produce floodplain scrub. Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia+2Wikipedia+2
• It survives in patches of this habitat within the city limits (though these are small fragments) and more robustly in sites just outside Phnom Penh. Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia+2WCS Programs+2

Abundance and Conservation Status

• Because its range is quite limited, and because its preferred habitat is under pressure (from urban expansion, infrastructure development, agricultural activity, etc.), the Cambodian Tailorbird is considered to be of conservation concern. Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia+2Wikipedia+2
• The IUCN classifies it as Near Threatened. Wikipedia+1
• While it is more abundant in certain remaining patches just outside Phnom Penh, its habitat is shrinking. Thus, although it is locally common in those patches, the total population is vulnerable because of habitat loss. Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia+2Wikipedia+2

Because of its very restricted geographic range (essentially just in the floodplain of the Mekong in/around Phnom Penh), there is no area in the world where it is “most abundant” beyond its limited native region in Cambodia. Thus its conservation depends critically on protecting those local habitats.

Importance to Humans and the Environment

The significance of the Cambodian Tailorbird can be understood on several levels:

1. Biodiversity and Scientific Discovery
• It exemplifies how new species can still be discovered, even in urban or peri‑urban settings. That reminds us that biodiversity is sometimes hidden in familiar places. BBC+1
• It adds to the richness of Cambodia’s unique fauna, being one of only two bird species found only in Cambodia (the other being the Cambodian Laughingthrush). Wikipedia+1
2. Ecosystem Role
• As an insectivorous bird (feeding on insects, spiders, etc.), it helps with pest control and insect population regulation in its habitat. Such roles, while modest at the scale of individuals, can be meaningful at the scale of the local ecosystem. (While direct studies may be few, this is typical for small songbirds.)
• By living in scrub and floodplain ecosystems, it is part of the community of species that depend on periodic flooding, dense vegetation in scrub, etc. The health of such scrub habitats has broader ecological functions (e.g. riparian buffer, soil stabilization, habitat for many invertebrates and other birds).
3. Cultural and Environmental Awareness
• Its discovery in Phnom Penh (a major city) has symbolic importance: it raises awareness that even in heavily modified landscapes there are still natural environments worth conserving.
• It can become part of local nature appreciation, environmental education, and possibly ecotourism. People interested in wildlife could find interest in seeing it or helping preserve its habitat.
4. Conservation Implications
• Protecting this species means protecting the floodplain scrub habitats, which are under pressure. Measures that conserve habitat for the Tailorbird will benefit also many other species that share that habitat (plants, insects, possibly amphibians, reptiles, etc.).
• Urban planning, environmental policy, conservation programmes can integrate protection of such fragments. The more such species are known, the better arguments conservationists have for setting aside or restoring habitat.

Summary & Outlook

The Cambodian Tailorbird is a remarkable example of a species that had gone unnoticed in a relatively well‑populated area, highlighting both how little we sometimes know, and how much urgency there can be in conserving what remains. Although it is currently restricted to dense scrub in floodplains around Phnom Penh, its limited range and ongoing habitat decline mean that active conservation efforts will be crucial to prevent its status from deteriorating.

From a human and environmental perspective, it represents both scientific interest and conservation value: preserving natural heritage, maintaining ecosystem function, and potentially serving as a flagship for preserving urban and peri‑urban habitats in rapidly developing regions.

References

1. Mahood, S. P., et al. (2013).
   A New Species of Tailorbird (Passeriformes: Cisticolidae: Orthotomus) from the Mekong Floodplain of Cambodia.
   Forktail 29 (2013): 1–14.
   Link to abstract and article (BirdLife International / Oriental Bird Club)
2. BirdLife International. (2023).
   Species factsheet: Orthotomus chaktomuk.
   https://www.birdlife.org
3. Wikipedia contributors. (Last updated 2024).
   Cambodian tailorbird.
   Wikipedia.
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambodian_tailorbird
4. WCS Cambodia (Wildlife Conservation Society). (2013).
   New Bird Species Discovered in Cambodia’s Capital City.
   https://cambodia.wcs.org
5. BBC News. (2013).
   New bird species found in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
   https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-23044469
6. Avian Research. (2018).
   DNA barcoding and taxonomic review of the Orthotomus genus with focus on the Cambodian Tailorbird.
   https://avianres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40657-018-0123-8
7. The World (PRI). (2016).
   The Cambodian Tailorbird — a new species discovered in the heart of a capital city.
   https://theworld.org/stories/2016/07/30/new-bird-species-cambodian-tailorbird-orthotomus-chaktomuk-found-phnom-penh