Small Minivet

Taxobox
name = Small Minivet


image_caption = Male at Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India.
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Passeriformes
familia = Campephagidae
genus = " Pericrocotus "
species = "P. cinnamomeus"
binomial = "Pericrocotus cinnamomeus"
binomial_authority = Linnaeus, 1766

The Small Minivet, "Pericrocotus cinnamomeus" is a small passerine bird. This minivet is found in tropical southern Asia from the Indian subcontinent east to Indonesia.

The Small Minivet is a widespread and common resident breeding bird in thorn jungle and scrub. The nest is a cup-like structure into which two to four spotted eggs are laid and incubated by the female. The Small Minivet is 16cm long with a strong dark beak and long wings. The male differs from most other common minivets by having grey, not glossy black, upperparts and head, and orange underparts, fading to yellow on the belly, orange tail edges, rump and wing patches.

The female is grey above, with yellow underparts (including the face), tail edges, rump and wing patches.

There is much racial variation. The male " P. c. pallidus " of the northwest Indian subcontinent is pale grey above, with the underparts whitish except on the throat and flanks, whereas the male " P. c. malabaricus " of peninsular and southern India is darker above, has more extensive scarlet below. The female of the southern race is also brighter yellow below.

This minivet catches insects in trees by flycatching or while perched. The Small Minivet will form small flocks. Its call is a high, thin "swee swee swee".

References

* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
* "Birds of India" by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp, ISBN 0-691-04910-6

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