The compact minivet, also known as Pericrocotus cinnamomeus, is a delightful little songbird. It is commonly spotted in the lush regions of southern Asia, spanning from the Indian subcontinent all the way to the exotic lands of Indonesia.
The upper part of the female bird is predominantly grey, while its underparts, face, tail edges, rump, and wing patches are yellow. The species demonstrates significant racial diversity. The male P. c. pallidus, found in the northwest Indian subcontinent, displays a light grey coloration on its upper body, with whitish underparts, excluding the throat and flanks. On the other hand, the male P. c. malabaricus, native to peninsular and southern India, exhibits a darker shade above and showcases more extensive scarlet coloring below. Additionally, the female of the southern race boasts a brighter yellow hue on its underparts.
The petite minivet is a widely found and frequently seen bird that calls thorny forests and shrubby areas its home. The nest resembles a cup and serves as a cozy haven for two to four speckled eggs, diligently cared for and warmed by the female minivet.
The minivet is an expert insect hunter, skillfully capturing its prey while either on the wing or perched on a tree. Often found in compact groups, these charming birds emit a distinctive high-pitched call, resembling the sound “swee swee swee”.
While the Small Minivet is not in immediate danger, its numbers are decreasing as a result of losing its natural habitats and being separated into smaller fragments. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the Small Minivet as “Least Concern” in terms of its conservation status.
