The short-billed minivet is a species of bird in the family Campephagidae. It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.
Region
South and Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs from the Himalayan foothills (Nepal, Bhutan, northeast India) through Bangladesh and Myanmar to southern China (including Yunnan) and Indochina (Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia). It favors moist broadleaf forests, including evergreen and semi-evergreen hill forests, and uses forest edges and mature secondary growth. Often found in the mid to upper canopy where it gleans and sallies for prey. It can persist in selectively logged forest if enough canopy structure remains.
Altitude Range
0–2500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Short-billed minivets are agile canopy insect-hunters that often join mixed-species flocks, making them a common sight in lively forest bird parties. Males show striking black and scarlet to orange-red contrasts, while females are more subdued with grey and yellow tones. They frequently forage in small groups, calling to keep contact as they move through the mid to upper canopy. The species performs local altitudinal movements following seasonal food availability.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile, darting flights between canopy perches
Social Behavior
Typically found in pairs or small groups, frequently joining mixed-species foraging flocks in the canopy. During breeding, pairs maintain small territories and build a neat cup nest on a horizontal branch. Both sexes participate in feeding nestlings. Outside breeding season, small flocks roam widely tracking insect abundance.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of thin, high-pitched whistles and tinkling notes, often delivered as short, descending phrases. Calls include sharp ‘tsit’ or ‘tsee’ contact notes exchanged within foraging groups.
