Scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society, BirdLife International, and other groups have discovered a new species of bird that is red-headed and has a loud cry in the capital of Cambodia

 Researchers from Wildlife Conservation Society, BirdLife International, and other groups have discovered a new species of bird in the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, that is red-headed and has a loud cry.

The bird named Cambodian tailorbird (Orthotomus chaktomuk) was found in Phnom Penh as well as in some other locations including a construction site. Researchers revealed that this newly discovered bird species is now the second bird found exclusively in Cambodia. The other bird is the Cambodian laughingthrush, which is found in the remote Cardamom Mountains.

The Cambodian tailorbird is a wren-sized, gray colored bird with a red head and black throat. The new species can be found in dense, humid lowland scrubs in Phnom Penh and other sites in the floodplains. The scientific name given to the bird comes from an old Khmer word, which means four faced. The name was chosen because of where the bird was discovered.

"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," lead author Simon Mahood of WCS, said in a press statement. "The discovery indicates that new species of birds may still be found in familiar and unexpected locations."

Owing to the bird's habitat conditions and considering such floodplain scrubs are sparsely distributed   in Phnom Penh, the birds can be found in abundance outside the city limits. However, officials from the society have cautioned that the Cambodian tailorbird's habitat is rapidly declining leading to a decline in the birds' population. Agriculture and industrialization could further aggravate this threat. They recommend that the newly discovered species be listed Near Threatened under the IUCN's Red List.