They are common resident breeding birds in forests and other well-wooded habitats including gardens, especially in hilly country.

The male has black upperparts and head, and scarlet underparts, tail edges, rump and wing patches.

The shape and colour of the wing patches and the shade or orange in the male varies across populations.

The female is grey above, with yellow underparts (including the face), tail edges, rump and wing patches.

As many as nineteen subspecies have been described: Several isolated island forms that have been described include: This minivet catches insects in trees by flycatching or while perched.