Kunyit Kecil (Malay)

Main features:
Small (15cm); wings black with white bars; underparts yellow; upperparts olive-green to black; tail dark.

Male: Black crown; back dark green to black, contrasting well with bright golden yellow underparts. Moulting males lack the black crown and dark back.

Female: Duller yellow forehead, eyebrow and underparts; olive-green crown and upperparts.

Call: Described as wheezing, variable churrs, chattering and whistles; trill; clear whistled pui-puoor-pui; a mournful wheeeee-tiu.

In flight: Rump appears white due to overlap of long flank feathers.

Breeding: During breeding season (April-June), the male becomes even brighter yellow. He performs an acrobatic courtship display, darting up into the air fluffing up all feathers, especially those on the rump, then spiralling down to the original perch. Once he lands, he spreads his tail like a little peacock, drooping his wings. All to the accompaniment of whistles and chirrups.