Scarlet Minivet

Scarlet Minivet
This species is defined as a Review Species . Please submit your records of this species via our record submission page .

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

Featured reports: Apr 2024

Past records in our database:

Showing only accepted records. Note that records currently under review are also not displayed, and the list may not be a full list of records of this species in Singapore. For more details, check the database here.

Male Scarlet Minivet at Panti Forest. Photo credit: Keita Sin
Female Scarlet Minivet at Panti Forest, Malaysia. Photo credit: Francis Yap
External Links:

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 24, 2024 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/scarlet-minivet.

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