Scientific Name: Pericrocotus speciosus
Malay Name: Burung-Matahari Besar Biasa
Chinese Name: 赤红山椒鸟
Range: Breeding Range: (OR) Himalayas to Indonesia, Philippines
Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: siebersi, exul, andamanensis, minythomelas, modiglianii, speciosus, fraterculus, fohkiensis, semiruber, flammifer, xanthogaster, insulanus, novus, leytensis, johnstoniae, gonzalesi, nigroluteus, marchesae.
Local Subspecies: xanthogaster
Size: 17-21.5 cm
Identification: Unmistakable bird. Male is scarlet with black cap and upper back. Upperwings black, greater coverts red-tipped, broad band of red on remiges, distinct patch of red on tertials. Female is similar to male but red replaced with bright yellow, black on upper back and hindcrown replaced with grey and forehead and supraloral line yellow.
Habitat: Generally only occurs in closed forest with a highly-developed canopy.
Behaviour/Ecology: Forages in small flocks, almost 'bouncing' from treetop to treetop. Highly distinctive vocalisations, colouration and behaviour make it hard to miss when it is present.
Local Status: Former resident and very rare visitor
- Local extinctions of Singapore birds (Science)
- Messages from the Cinereous and Streaked Bulbuls (Science)
- Checklist Revision for June 2023 (Revisions)
Featured reports: Apr 2024
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Scarlet Minivet)
References:
Jeyarajasingam, A., & Pearson, A. (2012). A Field Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Oxford University Press.
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.
RECOMMENDED CITATION
Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Scarlet Minivet. Retrieved on December 3, 2024 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/scarlet-minivet.