Parental Provision The Common Tailorbird

This dynamic capture illustrates a moment of intense parental care, showing an adult Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius)…

This dynamic capture illustrates a moment of intense parental care, showing an adult Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius) delivering an insect to its gaping chick. Characterized by the adults reddish-brown cap, grayish-brown upperparts, and whitish underparts, this passerine is a quintessential resident of Asian gardens and light woodlands. My three decades of fieldwork have often involved the meticulous observation of their namesake behavior their remarkable ability to stitch leaves together with spider silk or plant fibers to form a sheltered nest pouch. The adults wings are spread in a moment of deceleration before landing, while the fledglings bright yellow gape provides a clear target for the food delivery. We observe a swift exchange that is a perfect example of the high metabolic demands of avian offspring and the tireless dedication required of the insectivorous parents.