Common Iora Aegithina tiphia occurs from India to Greater Sundas and the Philippines, with philipi a common resident of western (Ruili) and southern (Xishuangbanna) Yunnan. HABITAT & BEHAVIOR Lowland forests, scrub, and gardens, to 1000 m (3,280 ft.). Forages in small flocks, often including other species, gleaning insects from even the thinnest branches. Stays well-concealed among leaves; almost never on ground. Breeding males ruffle themselves into a feathery ball, darting into air and spiraling down to perch. Nest sometimes brood-parasitized by Banded Bay Cuckoo. ID Male conspicuously lemon-yellow below, olive-green to black above; wings and tail mainly black, with two white wing bars and yellowish edges to flight feathers and tertials; rump white. Female duller, always olive-yellow above; breeding female has more vivid colors. Juvenile has very faint wing bars. BARE PARTS Pointed bill silvery grey; feet grey or blackish. VOICE Call a medley of chirrs, chatters, and whistles; among its songs is a thin, drawn-out whistle ending with a much lower note. — Craig Brelsford
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Daniel Bengtsson served as chief ornithological consultant for Craig Brelsford’s Photographic Field Guide to the Birds of China, from which this species description is drawn.
