I caught a flash of brilliant scarlet red, set against jet-black wings, gliding gracefully through the green foliage. For a moment, it looked less like a bird and more like a flower that had suddenly decided to fly.
The first glimpse of the Scarlet Minivet (Pericrocotus speciosus) reminded me of Kareena Kapoor in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham:
“Tumhara koi haq nahi banta ki tum itni khoobsurat lago(You have absolutely no right to be this beautiful). Not fair.”
If birds held fashion competitions, the Scarlet Minivet would undoubtedly win the title of “Most Likely to Be Mistaken for a Flying Flower.” Fashion contests keep adding new categories every year. The beauty of the Scarlet Minivet feels rather unfair to the rest of the avian world. “Bahut nainsaafi hai!(This is completely unfair)” as Gabbar Singh from Sholay might have declared.
The Scarlet Minivet is not all style and no substance. Its song is a series of soft, melodious whistles, every bit as elegant as its striking appearance. Its hunting technique is equally ingenious. Rather than waiting patiently for insects to appear, the Scarlet Minivet vigorously beats its wings against the foliage, flushing hidden insects into the open before making a swift, precise capture. It prefers to perch on the upper reaches of tall trees, moving quietly through the canopy. Its nest is a neat little cup, carefully camouflaged among the branches high above the ground, safely out of reach of most terrestrial predators.
Photos and text by Prerna Jain.
