Small Minivet
Pericrocotus cinnamomeus
The smallest of the minivets. Males have slaty gray crown, cheeks, and back. Throat and wings black, tail black with pale yellow edges. Breast orange, gradually fading into yellowish-white underparts. Black wings show a patch of orange. Female is duller than male, with light gray upperparts, cheeks and crown; dark gray wings; white throat; and light yellow underparts. Both males and females show an orange rump. Usually seen in small flocks, frequently uttering high-pitched “swee swee” call as they continuously move around feeding on insects, sometimes catching them mid-air like flycatchers. Inhabits various forested habitats, especially thorny jungles, scrub patches, and open dry forest.
Identification
The small minivet is 16 cm 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.<p>The female is grey above, with yellow underparts (including the face), tail edges, rump and wing patches.<p>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.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Pericrocotus cinnamomeus
- Authority
- (Linnaeus, 1766)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Campephagidae
- Genus
- Pericrocotus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
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.<p>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.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Leptasthenura aegithaloides
Widespread and often fairly common in southern South America. Found in varied habitats from Patagonian shrub-steppe to parks and gardens to high Andean puna shrub-grassland to lowland desert scrub. Often in pairs, foraging low to high from weedy brush and shrubs to tree canopy; agile and often active, clinging upside down at tips of branches. Identified by streaky face, mostly plain back, and very long spiky-tipped tail. Voice varies regionally and multiple cryptic species are likely involved.
Evening Grosbeak
Coccothraustes vespertinus
Large finch, nearly twice the size of a goldfinch. Stocky with strong, thick, pale bill and short, notched tail. Males are stunning with dark head fading to bright yellow underparts, and mostly black wings with bright white secondaries. Females are overall gray with some white on the wing. Flocks often come to feeders for sunflower seeds. Found in forested regions especially at higher elevations. Populations declining dramatically.
Crimson-crested Woodpecker
Campephilus melanoleucos
Large red-headed woodpecker, widespread from Panama to Paraguay. Found in lowland forest and edges, often perched conspicuously high up on a snag or large tree. More apt to be seen in open habitats compared with Red-necked Woodpecker, but significant overlap. Male is distinctive with barred underparts and almost entirely red head with a black-and-white patch on the cheek. Female distinguished from other large woodpeckers (such as Lineated) by very broad white stripe on face and white V on back. Listen for loud knocking drum as well as various chattering noises.
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