Least Concern

A small, active songbird, about 13–14 cm in length. It has a bright yellow underside, black head with a prominent crest, olive-green back, and white wing bars. Both sexes look similar, though females are slightly duller.

A resident species, endemic to peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Found mainly in the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, and parts of central India.

Non-migratory, though it may make local altitudinal movements between forest elevations depending on season and food availability.

Breeds between February and June. Nests are cup-shaped, built in tree holes, crevices, or occasionally in artificial structures, lined with moss, grass, and feathers. Usually lays 3–5 eggs.

Prefers moist deciduous and evergreen forests, plantations, and wooded hills with sufficient tree cover and nesting cavities.

Found in forests, wooded gardens, coffee estates, and shola-grassland systems. Often seen in pairs or small mixed flocks foraging through canopy foliage.

Feeds mainly on insects, caterpillars, spiders, and other small arthropods, supplemented by seeds and berries. It gleans prey from leaves and bark while moving actively through branches.