- Dicrurus andamanensis
Identification
28 - 29cm.
- Glossy black plumage
- Deeply notched tail with curled outer feathers
- Large black bill with sharply hookd upper mandible
- Brown or blackish eye
Sexes similar, females are slightly smaller. Juveniles are browner and less glossy.
Similar species
Lacks rackets of bigger Greater Racket-tailed Drongo. The bill also looks more swollen.
Distribution
Endemic to the Andaman Islands (including Great Coco and Table Island, administrated by Burma).
A common restricted-range species.
Taxonomy
Subspecies[1]
- D. a. andamanensis (Small Andaman Drongo):
- on all main islands of the Andaman Islands (India)
- D. a. dicruriformis (Large Andaman Drongo):
- Great Coco Island and Table Island (Burma). Larger than the nominate form.
Habitat
Moist lowland forests, forest edge, open forest and scrub-jungle.
Behaviour
A gregarious species, often in groups of up to 20 birds. Often forages with other species like Asian Fairy-Bluebird, White-headed Starling, Small Minivet or Bar-bellied Cuckoo-shrike.
Feeds on insects which are caught by aerial hawking.
Breeding season in April and May. The nest is a shallow cup made of fine dry twigs. It's placed 4.5 - 9m above the ground in a large tree. Lays 2 or 3 eggs.
A resident species.
References
- Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507
- Rasmussen, PC and JC Anderton. 2005. Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334672
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Andaman Drongo. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 28 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Andaman_Drongo