Scarlet Minivet

Pericrocotus speciosus

Males burn flame-scarlet against jet black. Females swap in yellow. Canopy flocks arrive like flying embers.

Population: Not quantified; described as common to locally common across its range
Habitat: Forest and other well-wooded habitats, including subtropical/tropical moist lowland, swamp, and montane forest, plus gardens in hilly country; often forages high in the canopy in mixed-species flocks
Fun fact: Male and female Scarlet Minivets look strikingly different — males are black above with brilliant scarlet underparts, rump, and wing patches, while females are grey above with yellow (rather than red) underparts and patches; the species builds its nest high in the treetops, binding it with spiders' webs for strength.
Range: Tropical southern Asia: from the Himalayas and Northeast India through southern China and mainland Southeast Asia to Indonesia and the Philippines (~18 recognized subspecies); sedentary/non-migratory
Diet: Insectivorous — catches insects by flycatching or gleaning while perched, often in mixed-species foraging flocks
Size: 0.21 m

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