About the Spangled Drongo
The spangled drongo is a bird of the family Dicruridae. It is the only drongo to be found in Australia, where it can be recognised by its black, iridescent plumage and its characteristic forked tail. It feeds on insects and small vertebrates. It has complex and varied calls and is a mimic of the sounds it hears. It arrives in Queensland in late spring and breeds high in an isolated tree, producing three to five young each year.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
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Its basically black plumage is iridescent with blue and purple highlights. Its eyes are crimson. The most remarkable characteristic of its appearance is its tail, which is described by Morcombe as "long, outcurved and forked" and on first examination looks like its feathers are crossed over – like crossing your fingers. Young drongos lack the highlights and spots and their eyes are dark brown.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Bronzed DrongoDicrurus aeneusThis drongo is somewhat smaller than the black drongo and has more metallic gloss with a spangled appearance on the head, neck and breast.
White-bellied DrongoDicrurus caerulescensThis drongo is black without any glossy feathers on the upperside and greyish on the throat and breast, while the belly and vent are entirely white in the Indian form which is the nominate subspecies.
Hair-crested DrongoDicrurus hottentottusThe hair-crested drongo is an Asian bird of the family Dicruridae.
Side by side: Bronzed Drongo vs Spangled Drongo · Spangled Drongo vs White-bellied Drongo
Learn the Spangled Drongo for real
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