Ashy Minivet

The ashy minivet, known scientifically as Pericrocotus divaricatus, is a passerine bird that graces the eastern skies of Asia. Unlike its more vibrantly colored relatives, this species is adorned with a more subdued palette of greys, whites, and blacks. The male of the species is particularly striking, with a white face set against a contrasting black nape.

Identification Tips

To identify the male ashy minivet, look for its grey upper parts and whitish underparts, complemented by a black cap and a prominent white forehead. A distinctive white band stretches across the flight feathers, and the outer tail feathers gleam white. Both the bill and feet are a deep black. The female, while similar, has a grey cap with a black band between the bill and eye, and a slender white band above it. Their calls are a high-pitched, metallic trill that can be heard through the canopy.

Habitat

The ashy minivet is quite adaptable, making its home in forests as well as in more open landscapes where trees are scattered. It is most often observed foraging in the tree canopy.

Distribution

This bird breeds in the southeastern regions of Siberia, northeastern China, Korea, and Japan. Some populations, such as those in the Ryūkyū Islands, are often considered a separate species. The ashy minivet is also a long-distance migrant, wintering in South and Southeast Asia, reaching as far as Sumatra, Borneo, and the Philippines.

Behaviour

The ashy minivet is a sociable bird, often seen foraging with other minivets and joining mixed-species foraging flocks. During migration, they can be observed in large, impressive flocks.

Song & Calls

The ashy minivet's vocalizations are characterized by a high-pitched, metallic trill, which resonates through their treetop habitats.

Breeding

Breeding occurs across their northern range, and the ashy minivet is known to lay a clutch of four to seven eggs. These eggs are incubated for a period of 17 to 18 days.

Similar Species

The female ashy minivet can be confused with the female of the brown-rumped minivet due to their similar coloration.

Diet and Feeding

Insects form the primary diet of the ashy minivet, which it skillfully hunts in the canopy.

Conservation status

The ashy minivet is currently classified as "Least Concern" by the IUCN. Notably, the population on Amami Island has been observed to increase between 1985 and 2001. While considered rare in the South Asian region, sightings have become more regular since its first noted appearance on the Indian mainland in 1965.