The earth abounds with birds of many hues, yet this delightful darling stands out in a unique manner. Allow me to introduce the scarlet minivet, a petite perching bird whose appearance resembles a piece of airborne art, featuring vibrant tones against a glossy black or midnight blue backdrop!
The binomial name of the scarlet minivet is Pericrocotus speciosus, although it is not exclusively scarlet in color. Typically, the male has black upperparts and a black head, and its underparts may vary in hue, ranging from red to orange or yellow, contingent on its environment. The striking combination of these contrasting shades adds to the allure of this stunning species, causing it to command attention wherever it is seen.
The female of the species also boasts a captivating appearance, with a yellow face, belly, tail edges, rump, and wing patches, but her upperparts are gray, in contrast to the male’s black.
Despite its diminutive size, the scarlet minivet possesses a robust bill and lengthy wings, with each individual bird measuring only approximately 7.9 to 8.7 inches in length.
The scarlet minivet is primarily found in regions of southern Asia with ample trees, shrubs, and grasses, including rainforests, as well as gardens. This lovely species is commonly sighted in tropical locales such as India, Sri Lanka, China, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
These nimble creatures frequently gather in small flocks with other birds, collaborating to hunt insects, mainly in the upper branches of forest canopies.
The breeding season for scarlet minivets commences in February and concludes in September. Once they have mated, these monogamous birds construct their nest cooperatively, using small twigs and spider webs to create a lofty abode high up in the treetops.
During each breeding cycle, the female scarlet minivet lays a clutch of 2 to 4 eggs, which she incubates for a period of 14 to 18 days until they hatch. The male partner joins her in rearing the young, providing sustenance for the chicks for a duration of 2 to 3 weeks, until they reach a level of maturity sufficient to take flight on their own.
Fortuitously, the population of this charming avian species remains stable at present, and there are no current indications that it is under any threat.
Feel free to enjoy the melodious sound of its beautiful song here:
Rewritten Source: https://aubtu.biz/37428/