Drongo from Pakistan (1 Viewer)

[Azan Khan]

Posting it on behalf of a friend, Atif Taj.
Photos taken on 29 August, 2022
Location: Islamabad, Pakistan

Can you please help me ID this drongo? It looks odd for both of the common species found in the country. It has certain features of Hair-crested Drongo but lacks the backward curls in tail and also the bill look odd for this species. So what is it, kindly help. I'd really appreciate your response which I always find valuable.

So far, we have three species reported from Pakistan.

1) Black Drongo - common/resident
2) Ashy Drongo - common/resident
3) Hair-crested Drongo - recorded just once from the country.

 

[Butty]

Seems to be spangled (hair-crested) drongo. Curved pointy bill, hair-crest, spangles, weird tail.

 

[James Eaton]

As Butty mentions, no doubt as per the identification, it's a Hair-crested Drongo. As it shows a bit of yellow at the gape, and the tail not fully developed, it appears to be an immature.

Well done and fantastic record!

James

 

[Azan Khan]

Thank you so much for your valuable inputs, I really appreciate it. This is a second record for the country. The first record date backs to Nov 2016.

 

[johnallcock]

As Butty mentions, no doubt as per the identification, it's a Hair-crested Drongo. As it shows a bit of yellow at the gape, and the tail not fully developed, it appears to be an immature.

Well done and fantastic record!

James

No doubt on ID and a great record!

But given the state of moult (moult contrast in primaries, secondaries, tail and contour feathers) isn't it an adult? I don't know moult patterns of HcD, but I wouldn't expect them to have a complete moult in their first year.