Thai National Parks

Species of Thailand

Small minivet

Pericrocotus cinnamomeus

Carolus Linnaeus, 1766

In Thai: นกพญาไฟเล็ก

The small minivet (Pericrocotus cinnamomeus) is a small passerine bird. This minivet is found in tropical southern Asia from the Indian subcontinent east to Indonesia.

Description

The small minivet is 16 cm long with a strong dark beak and long wings. The male differs from most other common minivets by having grey, not glossy black, upperparts and head, and orange underparts, fading to yellow on the belly, orange tail edges, rump and wing patches.

The female is grey above, with yellow underparts (including the face), tail edges, rump and wing patches.

There is much racial variation. The male P. c. pallidus of the northwest Indian subcontinent is pale grey above, with the underparts whitish except on the throat and flanks, whereas the male P. c. malabaricus of peninsular and southern India is darker above, has more extensive scarlet below. The female of the southern race is also brighter yellow below.

Behaviour

The small minivet is a widespread and common resident breeding bird in thorn jungle and scrub. The nest is a cup-like structure into which two to four spotted eggs are laid and incubated by the female.

This minivet catches insects in trees by flycatching or while perched. The small minivet will form small flocks. Its call is a high, thin swee swee swee.

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Category / Seasonal Status

BCST Category: Recorded in an apparently wild state within the last 50 years

BCST Seasonal status: Resident or presumed resident

Scientific classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Campephagidae
Genus
Pericrocotus
Species
Pericrocotus cinnamomeus

Common names

  • Thai: นกพญาไฟเล็ก

Synonyms

  • Motacilla cinnamomea, Carolus Linnaeus (1766)

Conservation status

Least Concern (IUCN3.1)

Least Concern (IUCN3.1)

Photos

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Small minivet (male)
Small minivet (female)
Small minivet (female)
Small minivet

Range Map

Distribution map of Small minivet, Pericrocotus cinnamomeus in Thailand
  • Bang Pa In District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
  • Bang Pahan District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
  • Bang Phra Non-Hunting Area
  • Bang Pu Recreation Centre
  • Bangkok Province
  • Chae Son National Park
  • Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai
  • Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Chiang Saen District, Chiang Rai
  • Doi Inthanon National Park
  • Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park
  • Doi Suthep - Pui National Park
  • Don Chedi District, Suphan Buri
  • Erawan National Park
  • Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Huai Nam Dang National Park
  • Kaeng Krachan National Park
  • Kamphaeng Saen District, Nakhon Pathom
  • Khao Sok National Park
  • Khao Yai National Park
  • Khlong Lan National Park
  • Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani
  • Khun Chae National Park
  • Khura Buri District, Phang Nga
  • Ko Phayam
  • Mae Ping National Park
  • Mae Wong National Park
  • Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai
  • Mueang Nakhon Pathom District, Nakhon Pathom
  • Mueang Nonthaburi District, Nonthaburi
  • Mueang Pathum Thani District, Pathum Thani
  • Mueang Phang Nga District, Phang Nga
  • Mueang Prachinburi District, Prachinburi
  • Mueang Samut Sakhon District, Samut Sakhon
  • Mueang Sukhothai District, Sukhothai
  • Mueang Surin District, Surin
  • Mueang Tak District, Tak
  • Nam Nao National Park
  • Pa Sang District, Lamphun
  • Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi
  • Pak Phli District, Nakhon Nayok
  • Pang Sida National Park
  • Pha Daeng National Park
  • Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
  • Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Phu Wiang National Park
  • Phutthamonthon District, Nakhon Pathom
  • Sai Yok District, Kanchanaburi
  • Sakaerat Environmental Research Station
  • Samut Prakan Province
  • Sirinat National Park
  • Thanyaburi District, Pathum Thani
  • Thap Lan National Park
  • Wat Phai Lom & Wat Ampu Wararam Non-Hunting Area
Range map of Pericrocotus cinnamomeus in Thailand