Minivet
Sign in to saveThe minivets are passerine birds belonging to the genus Pericrocotus in the cuckooshrike family Campephagidae. There are about 15 species, occurring mainly in forests in southern and eastern Asia. They are fairly small, slender birds with long tails and an erect posture. Most species have bright red or yellow markings. All species show sexual dichromatism with the male usually having more brightly coloured plumage. They feed mainly on insects, foraging in groups in the tree canopy.
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- Taxonomy
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The minivets are passerine birds belonging to the genus Pericrocotus in the cuckooshrike family Campephagidae. There are about 15 species, occurring mainly in forests in southern and eastern Asia. They are fairly small, slender birds with long tails and an erect posture. Most species have bright red or yellow markings. All species show sexual dichromatism with the male usually having more brightly coloured plumage. They feed mainly on insects, foraging in groups in the tree canopy.
==Taxonomy== The genus Pericrocotus was introduced in 1826 by the German zoologist Friedrich Boie with Muscicapa miniata Temminck, the Sunda minivet, as the type species. The genus name combines the Ancient Greek περι/peri meaning "very" or "all around" with κροκωτος/krokōtos meaning "golden-yellow" from κροκος/krokos meaning "saffron".