The orange minivet is a brightly colored bird in the cuckooshrike family, Campephagidae. It is found all along the Western Ghats and west coast of India and Sri Lanka. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the scarlet minivet which is considered to have a wider distribution in eastern and northern India and South-east Asia. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. The orange minivet is a species resident in southern India and Sri Lanka, that feeds primarily on insects while foraging in mixed-species bird flocks or in small single-species groups.
Region
Southwestern India and Sri Lanka
Typical Environment
Occurs along the Western Ghats and adjacent west coast forests of India and across suitable forested zones of Sri Lanka. Favors evergreen and moist deciduous forests, shola-grassland mosaics, and well-wooded ravines. Also uses forest edges and tall shade-grown plantations (e.g., coffee and rubber) when canopy continuity is present. Typically forages in the upper canopy but will descend to midstory along edges and clearings.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The orange minivet is a vividly colored cuckooshrike of the Western Ghats of India and Sri Lanka, where it remains a year-round resident. It was formerly treated as a subspecies of the scarlet minivet but is now recognized as a separate species with more orange-toned males. It often joins mixed-species flocks high in the canopy and communicates with thin, whistled calls. Pairs build neat, camouflaged cup nests on horizontal branches.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile canopy dashes
Social Behavior
Commonly travels in small groups and readily joins mixed-species foraging flocks in the canopy. Pairs maintain close contact calls while foraging and coordinate movements. The nest is a tidy, shallow cup placed high on a branch, with both sexes participating in nesting and chick rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Voice is a series of thin, sweet, whistled notes and soft trills. Calls include sharp, high-pitched contact whistles exchanged between flock members. The song carries well through the canopy but is not loud or harsh.
Plumage
Male has glossy black upperparts contrasting with bright orange underparts, rump, and wing patches; tail largely black with orange edges. Female is grey-olive above with yellow underparts and yellow wing and tail accents. Both sexes show sleek, tight plumage suited to canopy life.
Diet
Primarily consumes insects such as caterpillars, beetles, and other small arthropods. Gleans prey from leaves and twigs and makes short sallies to snatch flying insects. Occasionally takes small berries or soft-bodied invertebrates when insects are scarce. Foraging is often cooperative within small parties or mixed flocks, increasing efficiency and vigilance.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mainly in the upper canopy of evergreen and moist deciduous forests. Also forages along forest edges, in secondary growth, and in tall shade plantations where continuous canopy is available.
