From Opus

Photo by Laurence Poh
Near Perak, Malaysia, January 2004

Surniculus lugubris

[edit] Identification

25cm.
Overall glossy black.Small white nuchal patch and white thighs are difficult to observe in the field.

From Drongos by thinner slightly down curved beak, forked tail (slightly) with white barrings on vent and under tail coverts.

[edit] Distribution

Asia: found in tThe Indian sub-continent, southern China through south-east Asia to the Greater Sundas, Bali, Sulawesi, and Philippines.

Northern populations are migratory.

[edit] Taxonomy

Philippine Drongo-Cuckoo has in the past been included as another subspecies, and the name of the combined species was "Drongo Cuckoo".

[edit] Subspecies^[1]

Juvenile
Photo by rizal2003
Port Dickson, Malaysia

Four subspecies are recognized:

• S. l. dicruroides:

• Northern India to southern China and Indochina; winters to Indonesia

• S. l. lugubris:

• Coastal south-western India, Sri Lanka, Java and Bali

• S. l. brachyurus:

• Malaysia, Sumatra, Bangka Island, Borneo and south-western Philippines

• S. l. musschenbroeki:

• Sulawesi, Butung, Halmahera, Bacan and Obi islands

[edit] Habitat

Forest and forest edges.

[edit] Behaviour

Keeps to the canopy and the crown of tall trees. Does not chase insects from a open perch in the manner of drongos.
A known brood parasite of Striped Tit-Babbler.
Very vocal.

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist.
2. BF Member observations

• List of references

[edit] External Links