Common Iora

Tentang

The Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia), known in Indonesian as Cipoh Kacat, is a small passerine bird found across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is known for its striking yellow and black plumage, particularly in breeding males, and its distinctive, often melodious, calls. These active birds are typically found in well-wooded areas, gardens, and plantations, foraging for insects among the foliage.

Ukuran dan masa hidup

Panjang

12-16 cm

Bentang sayap

18-22 cm

Berat

10-17 g

Masa hidup

3-5 years (in the wild)

Makanan

Insectivore

Ciri fisik

Bulu

Males in breeding plumage are bright yellow on the underparts, with a black crown, mantle, and tail. The wings are black with two prominent white wing-bars. The back can be olive-green or black depending on the subspecies. Non-breeding males and females are generally duller, with olive-green upperparts, yellow underparts, and blackish wings with white wing-bars. Females typically lack the extensive black on the crown and back, having more olive-green. Juveniles resemble females but are even duller.

Bentuk paruh

Slender, pointed, and slightly decurved bill; typically dark grey or blackish.

Warna mata

Dark brown

Warna kaki

Dark grey to blackish

Ciri pembeda

Bright yellow underparts, black wings with two white wing-bars, and a distinctive 'puffing up' display during courtship. Males have a black cap and back (in breeding plumage, varying by subspecies).

Penampilan muda

Resemble adult females but are generally duller, with less vibrant yellow and more muted olive-green tones. Wing-bars may be less distinct.

Perubahan musiman

Males undergo a significant plumage change for the breeding season, developing more extensive and intense black on the crown and back. Non-breeding males and females show less dramatic seasonal variation, maintaining a more olive-green and yellow appearance.

Dimorfisme seksual

Pronounced, especially in breeding season. Males develop a glossy black cap and back, contrasting sharply with bright yellow underparts. Females and non-breeding males are duller, with olive-green upperparts and less extensive black.

Cara identifikasi

1. 1

   Plumage Coloration

   Look for the bright yellow underparts contrasting with black wings and two white wing-bars. In breeding males, note the glossy black cap and back. Females and non-breeding males are duller, with olive-green upperparts.

2. 2

   Size and Shape

   A small, compact passerine, about the size of a sparrow, with a relatively short tail and a slender, pointed bill.

3. 3

   Vocalizations

   Listen for its distinctive, often melodious whistling song ('wheee-tee' or 'wee-chu' followed by chattering notes) and sharp 'chip' calls. The song is a key identifier.

4. 4

   Behavior

   Observe its active foraging style, gleaning insects from foliage. During courtship, males perform a characteristic 'puffing up' display, making their plumage appear much larger.

5. 5

   Habitat

   Typically found in well-wooded areas, forest edges, gardens, and plantations, often in the mid-canopy or upper story of trees.

Habitat dan persebaran

Bioma

Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, mangroves, scrublands, plantations, gardens, and urban parks.

Persebaran geografis

Indian subcontinent (India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan), and Southeast Asia (Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Philippines).

Rentang ketinggian

Sea level up to approximately 1,500 meters (occasionally higher in some regions).

Lingkungan yang disukai

Prefers open woodlands, forest edges, secondary growth, orchards, and well-vegetated gardens. Often found in the canopy and mid-story of trees and shrubs.

Perilaku

Waktu aktivitas

Diurnal

Kebiasaan makan

Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of insects and their larvae, including caterpillars, beetles, ants, and spiders. They forage actively among foliage, gleaning insects from leaves and branches. They may also occasionally consume nectar or small berries.

Perilaku sosial

Typically seen singly or in pairs, especially during the breeding season. Outside of breeding, they may join mixed-species foraging flocks. They are generally active and restless.

Pola terbang

Undulating flight, often short and direct between trees. They are agile fliers within dense foliage.

Pola migrasi

Resident throughout its range; generally non-migratory. Local movements may occur in response to food availability or habitat changes.

Teritorialitas

Males are territorial during the breeding season, defending their nesting sites and foraging areas with calls and displays.

Reproduksi

Musim kawin

Varies geographically, but generally coincides with the pre-monsoon and monsoon periods (e.g., March-September in India, February-July in Southeast Asia).

Kebiasaan bersarang

Monogamous. Nests are small, neat, cup-shaped structures made of fine grass, rootlets, and cobwebs, often decorated with lichen or bark fragments on the exterior for camouflage. They are typically built in the fork of a small tree or shrub, 2-10 meters above the ground.

Jumlah telur

2-4 eggs

Deskripsi telur

2-4 eggs per clutch. Eggs are oval, pale greenish-white or pinkish-white, with fine reddish-brown or purplish-grey speckles and blotches, often concentrated at the broader end.

Masa inkubasi

Approximately 12-14 days

Masa terbang

Approximately 10-12 days after hatching

Perawatan orang tua

Both parents participate in nest building, incubation, and feeding of the young. The male often performs courtship displays, including puffing up his plumage and spiraling flight.

Di mana ditemukan

Tips lapangan

1. Listen for its song. The Common Iora's distinctive song is often the first indication of its presence. Learn its calls to locate it even when hidden in foliage.
2. Scan the canopy and mid-story. These birds typically forage in the upper and middle layers of trees and shrubs. Use binoculars to scan the foliage carefully.
3. Look for movement. They are active foragers, constantly moving through branches. Look for subtle movements in the leaves.
4. Observe mixed-species flocks. Outside of breeding season, they may join mixed-species foraging flocks, so observing such groups can increase your chances of spotting one.

Spesies serupa

Fakta singkat

Common Name:

Common Iora (Cipoh Kacat)

Scientific Name:

Aegithina tiphia

Family:

Aegithinidae

Diet:

Insectivore

Conservation Status:

Least Concern

Key Feature:

Bright yellow and black plumage (males), distinctive whistling song, white wing-bars.

Fakta menarik

• The Common Iora is known for its elaborate courtship display, where the male puffs up its plumage, making itself look like a fluffy yellow and black ball, and performs a spiraling flight while singing.
• Its scientific name 'Aegithina' is derived from Greek, referring to a small bird, and 'tiphia' is from a local name in India.
• There are numerous subspecies of Common Iora recognized, each with slight variations in plumage coloration and extent of black on the back, particularly in males.
• Despite its bright coloration, it can be surprisingly difficult to spot as it actively forages among dense foliage.

Klasifikasi ilmiah

Kerajaan

Animalia

Filum

Chordata

Kelas

Aves

Ordo

Passeriformes

Famili

Aegithinidae

Genus

Aegithina

Spesies

Aegithina tiphia

Jelajahi Common Iora