Long-tailed Minivet
Pericrocotus ethologus
Typical colorful minivet with red-and-black males and gray-and-yellow females. Male is very similar to Scarlet and Short-billed Minivets, but has a lumpy fork on the wing instead of a jagged ‘lightning bolt’ as in those two species. Female can be identified by a similarly simple wing patch and less extensive yellow on the head than Short-billed and Scarlet Minivets. Both sexes average longer-tailed than similar species. Usually found in pairs or small flocks in mid- to high-altitude forests. Gives a pleasant “dee-dee” and a rolling “pr’wee, pr’wee!”.
Identification
The long-tailed minivet (Pericrocotus ethologus) is a species of bird in the family Campephagidae. It is found in southern and south-eastern Asia where it occurs in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.
Taxonomy
Genus: Pericrocotus; Family: Campephagidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Pericrocotus ethologus
- Authority
- Bangs & Phillips, JC, 1914
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Campephagidae
- Genus
- Pericrocotus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
Migration pattern: Complete migrants.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Great Tit
Parus major
Conspicuous inhabitant of woods, forests, parks, gardens, and hedges in farmland. Often visits bird feeders and uses nest boxes. Plumage is distinctive, with white cheeks surrounded by a black cap and bib. Male has a broader black stripe down belly than the female, and the juvenile (seen in summer–early autumn) has yellowish wash to face and drabber plumage overall. Underparts are bright yellow throughout much of range, but “Turkestan Tit” of Central Asia has a white belly. Appreciably larger and more boldly patterned than Eurasian Blue Tit, which often occurs alongside it. Listen for its distinctive high-pitched up-and-down song: “tsee-dee-tsee-dee-tsee-dee” and chattering scolds.
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Setophaga caerulescens
Striking warbler with vastly different male and female plumages. Males are unique deep blue above with black face and sides and white belly. Females are plain brownish-olive with dingy buffy underparts and subtle face pattern. Always look for small white patch on the wing, lacking only on the dullest immature females. Breeds in the understory of mixed forests, favoring hills with dense vegetation. Found in nearly any wooded or shrubby habitat during migration. Winters primarily in the Caribbean. Listen for lazy buzzy song, usually a series of notes with a final long buzz.
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