Scarlet Minivet
Pericrocotus speciosus
Brilliantly-colored forest bird, typically encountered in flocks. Coloration varies significantly throughout wide distribution, with males ranging from black-and-crimson (most of mainland Asia) to black-and-yellow (southern Philippines) and black-and-orange (Java and Bali). Females are predominantly gray-and-yellow, but southern Philippine and western Indonesian birds are black-and-yellow. In all subspecies, note colored “blotches” on the wings (other minivets have cleaner wing patterns) and female’s yellow forehead. Gives high whistled “wheeep” notes, often when flying over the treetops.
Identification
The scarlet minivet is 20–22 cm (7.9–8.7 in) long with a strong dark beak and long wings. The male has black upperparts and head, and scarlet underparts, tail edges, rump and wing patches. The shape and colour of the wing patches and the shade or orange in the male varies across populations. In the subspecies nigroluteus and marchesae from south Philippines the scarlet/orange is entirely replaced by yellow. The female is grey above, with yellow underparts (including the face), tail edges, rump and wing patches.
Taxonomy
There is considerable geographic variation in this species and several disjunct populations exist. Some former races are sometimes considered full species requiring the reorganization of other former subspecies. An example of a split from P. speciosus is the orange minivet (Pericrocotus flammeus). As many as nineteen subspecies have been described:<p>Several isolated island forms that have been described include:
- Scientific name
- Pericrocotus speciosus
- Authority
- (Latham, 1790)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Campephagidae
- Genus
- Pericrocotus
Behavior
This minivet catches insects in trees by flycatching or while perched. It flushes insects out of foliage by beating its wings hard. Scarlet minivet will form small flocks. Its song is a pleasant whistling. This bird nests high up in the treetops. The nest is a cup-like structure woven with small twigs and spiders' webs to increase the strength of the nest. Two or three spotted pale green eggs are laid. Incubation is mainly by the female, but both birds help to raise the offspring.
Photos
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Coqui Francolin
Campocolinus coqui
Small, beautifully-patterned francolin. Males have a rufous head, while females have an elaborately-striped head, and both sexes show dark barring on the belly. Found on the ground in areas with thick grass, ranging from pure grassland to lush woodland. A generally shy and retiring species that sometimes sits out boldly when calling. Gives two distinctive calls: a repeated “co-qui” and a short series of cackling notes. Smaller than most other francolins, and bigger than quail and buttonquail. Its plumage pattern is distinctive when seen well.
Hooded Siskin
Spinus magellanicus
Strikingly beautiful siskin found in woodland and grassland with scattered trees and usually highly gregarious; also sometimes associates with mixed-species flocks. Males have a black hood, wings, and tail, and are olive-yellow above and bright yellow below with large yellow wing patches. Females are duller and lack the black hood. The song is a long series of fast and squeaky notes; sometimes many males sing together.
Gray Parrot
Psittacus erithacus
Large gray parrot with a white face and red tail. The tail is bright red in most of the range, but brick red in the western part of the range. Main habitat is lowland and mid-elevation forest, but will sometimes also use gallery forest, secondary forest, mangroves, and cultivated areas, especially oil palm. Found in pairs or small groups. Very similar to Timneh Parrot, but little or no overlap in range, and separated by the bright red rather than brick red tail, as well as the black rather than pinkish top of the bill.Gives a wide variety of loud vocalizations including whistles, bell-like notes, and screeches.
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