X-SciTech

New species: Cambodian Tailorbird

By Danielle Elliot

June 26, 2013 / 11:47 AM EDT / CBS News

Seen here, a Cambodian Tailorbird near Phnom Penh. The species was recently identified during a routine avian flu test.

The Cambodian Tailorbird was first spotted in 2009 but was misidentified as part of a known species.

The species thrives in low elevation, humid floodplains along the Mekong River and its tributaries.

Cambodian Tailorbirds let out a variety of loud, lengthy calls.

A Cambodian Tailorbird photographed in November 2012.

A Cambodian Tailorbird perched in a tree near Phnom Penh in November 2012.

The cinnamon crown is more pronounced on male Cambodian Tailorbirds than on females.

The discovery of a new species within the limits of a large city is rare. The Cambodian Tailorbird was first spotted near Cambodia's capital city.

Danielle Elliot

Danielle Elliot is a freelance science editor and reporter for CBS News. She holds an M.A. in science and health journalism from Columbia University and a B.A. in broadcast journalism from the University of Maryland. Follow her on Twitter - @daniellelliot.

Twitter Facebook