Orange Minivet

The orange minivet, a member of the cuckooshrike family Campephagidae, is a bird that captivates with its vivid plumage. Males boast a striking combination of bright orange and glossy black, while females are adorned in more subdued tones of yellow with a grey upperside. This species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males displaying a glossy black head, chin, throat, and upper back, transitioning to an orange-red lower back, rump, and uppertail-coverts. The underparts are predominantly bright orange-red. Females, on the other hand, have a yellow forehead, ashy-grey lower back, and their underparts are almost entirely bright yellow, including a yellow chin.

Identification Tips

To identify the orange minivet, look for the male's distinctive red markings near the tips of the tertials and inner secondaries. These isolated red patches are key differentiators from other Pericrocotus species. Females can be recognized by their yellow and grey coloration, which replaces the red areas seen in males.

Habitat

The orange minivet is found in a variety of forested habitats, including temperate forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

Distribution

This species is a resident bird of southern India and Sri Lanka, particularly along the Western Ghats and the west coast of India.

Behaviour

The orange minivet is a gregarious bird, often seen foraging in small groups of more than two individuals. It exhibits a preference for the upper reaches of the forest canopy, engaging in bouncing flights over the treetops. These birds are primarily insectivorous and employ a foraging technique known as sally-gleaning, where they perch, scan their surroundings, and make flights to hover and pick insects off plant surfaces.

Song & Calls

The vocalizations of the orange minivet consist of sweeping whistles, characterized by a series of "weep-sweep" notes. These calls are typically emitted during flight or while perched.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the orange minivet is mainly composed of insects. They forage in mixed-species bird flocks or in small single-species groups, adeptly catching their prey in flight.

Conservation status

The orange minivet is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of population decline or habitat loss at this time.