New Bird Species Discovered In Cambodia’s Largest City

A previously unknown species of bird was found hiding in plain sight after researchers filmed what was thought to be a  commonly found species at a construction site on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capitol and largest city. Further analysis revealed the species to be distinct.

Known as the Cambodian tailorbird (Orthotomus chaktomuk), the new bird is one of only two species endemic to Cambodia, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society , the group whose researcher Ashish John took the first photos of the Cambodian tailor bird.

Male Cambodian tailorbird. Photos by Ashish John/WCS.