A few weeks ago, we observed an interesting phenomenon.
Me and Shree were birdwatching in the evening, and a small group of Minivets had just flown onto the mulberry trees before us.
We settled down, I got my binoculars nicely zoomed-in on the group, Shree had his camera ready to shoot.
The Minivets were a chatty and cheerful lot, lighting up the foliage with their bright colours. We had a good time observing their flycatcher-like antics (they were too perpetual for the camera).
That’s when we noticed an Iora right behind the party, jumpy like the Minivets, and almost looking like it really had to catch up with the group. Shree took a photograph.
We saw the Minivets a few days later, and this time too they had the same Iora following them, and I say following because it was never the first one to fly to the next tree, but one to tag after the group, almost like a family pet.
We have had many similar sightings after this, and the Minivets always had their pet Iora, the very same one as before, bringing up the rear of the group.
Though, sometimes we think that the Iora may not be a pet at all, but instead, a Minivet-rearer, driving its herd from tree to tree.
What do you think?
A little bit about The Minivet and The Iora
Minivet
Seen in temperate, subtropical & tropical forests. One of the most colorful monsoon birds of the Western Ghats.
The Small Minivet is a small, flame-chested passerine, seen mostly in groups, flitting through the dense foliage.
The Common Iora is also a tiny passerine, with yellow plumage. It is a swift flier, but does have a tendency to look a bit ruffled (and cute).
Iora
A good songster, makes wide range of sweet long drawn musical whistles and calls. Often seen clinging sideways or upside down on branches.
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