"The modern discovery of an un-described bird species within the limits of a large populous city - not to mention 30 minutes from my home - is extraordinary." Simon Mahood, Wildlife Conservation Society.
New species of Tailorbird discovered in Cambodia's busy capital Phnom Penh
An exciting new species of Tailorbird bird has been discovered in Cambodia's capital city, Phnom Penh. The Cambodian tailorbird (Orthotomus chaktomuk), as it has been officially named, was first spotted in 2009 during routine checks for avian flu.
More specimens have since been found in regions around the busy city and discerned from similar Tailorbird species. Tailorbirds are in the warbler family and get their name from the meticulous preparation of their nests, made famous by the way they expertly weave leaves together.
As outlined in the Oriental Bird Club Journal, Forktail - a detailed set of tests, from the birds' plumage to their song and their genes - has now shown that O. chaktomuk is in fact a separate, completely new species.
It is exceptionally uncommon for undiscovered species to be found in densely populated, urban areas, and Oriental Bird Club council member Richard Thomas said earlier in the year, "I went and saw this remarkable new Tailorbird myself - in the middle of a road construction site". The authors of the paper suggest that O. chaktomuk inhabits a small area, made up largely of dense scrubland in the floodplain of the Mekong river - at the edge of which Phnom Penh lies.
"The modern discovery of an un-described bird species within the limits of a large populous city - not to mention 30 minutes from my home - is extraordinary," said study co-author Simon Mahood of the Wildlife Conservation Society.
"The discovery indicates that new species of birds may still be found in familiar and unexpected locations."
Because of the small and shrinking nature of the birds' habitat, the team has recommended that the bird be listed as "Near Threatened" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List.
You can read more on the discovery and even download videos and recordings at the Oriental Bird Clubs official website.
NEXT ARTICLE: More food in spring brings earlier egg laying and increased productivity for Great Spotted Woodpecker
More specimens have since been found in regions around the busy city and discerned from similar Tailorbird species. Tailorbirds are in the warbler family and get their name from the meticulous preparation of their nests, made famous by the way they expertly weave leaves together.
As outlined in the Oriental Bird Club Journal, Forktail - a detailed set of tests, from the birds' plumage to their song and their genes - has now shown that O. chaktomuk is in fact a separate, completely new species.
It is exceptionally uncommon for undiscovered species to be found in densely populated, urban areas, and Oriental Bird Club council member Richard Thomas said earlier in the year, "I went and saw this remarkable new Tailorbird myself - in the middle of a road construction site". The authors of the paper suggest that O. chaktomuk inhabits a small area, made up largely of dense scrubland in the floodplain of the Mekong river - at the edge of which Phnom Penh lies.
"The modern discovery of an un-described bird species within the limits of a large populous city - not to mention 30 minutes from my home - is extraordinary," said study co-author Simon Mahood of the Wildlife Conservation Society.
"The discovery indicates that new species of birds may still be found in familiar and unexpected locations."
Because of the small and shrinking nature of the birds' habitat, the team has recommended that the bird be listed as "Near Threatened" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List.
You can read more on the discovery and even download videos and recordings at the Oriental Bird Clubs official website.
NEXT ARTICLE: More food in spring brings earlier egg laying and increased productivity for Great Spotted Woodpecker