drongo bird australia

Recruits to the RAAF in WWII earned the nickname "drongos". The Spangled Drongo is an all black bird with a bright red eye and a very distinctive "fish-tail". Image by: 1) David Cook 2) Glen Fergus 3) JJ_Harrison 4) Ian_Sutton Spangled Drongos actively defend the nest against intruders. Insects are also taken from foliage and from under bark; fruit and nectar also form part of its diet. Spangled Drongo nest the day after the chicks had left; note how clean the nest is (photo courtesy of K. Ohlsen) [Acacia Hills, NT, December 2019] We have collected detailed information on how birds, in this particular case Little Friarbirds , keep their nests clean HERE . It is placed in a horizontal fork of tree, normally toward outer edges and up to 10 m – 20 m above the ground. Glossy black plumage, with iridescent blue-green spots (spangles), a long “fish-like” tail and blood red eyes. They have long forked tails, and some Asian species have elaborate tail decorations. Are there any distinctive features about the bird? Occasional white spotting can be seen on the upper wings in both sexes. Long, thin, hair-like feathers on its forehead, present only in some subspecies, may be visible at close range. Both adults participate in building the nest, which is a simple, shallow cup of twigs, vine tendrils and grasses, held together with spider web. The word "Drongo" is Australian slang for "idiot" - which may refer to this bird's comical behavior. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); © 2011 beautyofbirds.com - All Rights Reserved. The flycatcher has only a slight indentation in the tail compared to distinct fork in the drongo’s tail . Some Drongos in the south-east and central-east, however, remain in the same area or head south, occasionally turning up in Tasmania. Australian slang. Also found in New Guinea and eastern Indonesia. Drongos have short legs and sit very upright whilst perched, like a shrike. (Nothing to do with the class of bird Please contact them directly with respect to any copyright or licensing questions. They tend to avoid more dense forest types and rainforest interiors. Your use of this website indicates your agreement to these IOC World Bird Names, version 1.0: Spangled Drongo ( Dicrurus bracteatus) IOC World Bird Names, version 1.1: Spangled Drongo ( Dicrurus bracteatus) IOC World Bird Names, version 1.5: Spangled Drongo ( Dicrurus bracteatus) IOC World Bird You'd be a drongo for leaving your keys at home. Once seen, its prey is pursued in an acrobatic display, and is caught in the drongo's slightly hooked bill. A variety of sounds, including some distinctive metallic notes like a stretched wire being plucked, and occasional mimicry of other bird species. In fact, the Black Drongo belongs to a distinct family, the Dicrurus or the Drongos. Subspecies Breeding subregion Nonbreeding subregion Extinct Dicrurus bracteatus amboinensis Seram, Ambon, Haruku and Young birds are more sooty black without the spangles and the eye is brown. Please Note: The articles or images on this page are the sole property of the authors or photographers. The eagle has been landed on! It is easily recognised by the glossy black plumage and long forked tail The drongos are small birds that occur naturally in the Old World tropics (Africa, Asia, Australia) where they are found in open forests or bush. Nov 6, 2019 - Colourful Birds. Both sexes incubate the eggs and care for the young. Top 40 Bird Songs Creating Places Gallery of Gardens Your Garden: How to make it a safe haven for birds Before You Get Started Gardening for Birds Other Areas Nearby: improving the landscape for birds Bird Baths Domestic Pets Guidelines for Creating Bird By joining the biggest community of bird lovers in Australia, you can help us make a positive impact on the future of our native birdlife. The parrots that build "bird condominiums" : The, The record holder for speaking most words: the common. Adult has bright red eye, young birds dark-eyed. Terms Of Use / Copyright Restrictions, Site Privacy Policy | Report Abuse | Website Administrator | Web Design by Drupal Development Services. This bird was found semi The Spangled Drongo is noisy and conspicuous, usually active, and frequently aggressive to other species. : Finches, Bowerbirds and Other Passerines of Australia. Spangled Drongos normally have only one clutch per season. The Metallic Starling, Aplonis metallica, (21 cm - 24 cm) is found on the north-east coast, and has black plumage, brightly glossed with green and purple, a bright red eye and long tapered tail. Maybe it ’ s name comes from the world 's leading wildlife bird... In WWII earned the nickname `` Drongos '' keys at home plumage, with iridescent blue-green spots spangles. Is brown from under bark ; fruit and nectar also form part of diet... Mimic taking most of her vocabulary the diversity of Australia 's birdlife is amazing Drongos! Bird with a bright red eye and a very distinctive `` fish-tail '' is a familiar sight in India and... Diversity of Australia 's Cape York Peninsula 5 streaked H.E., and is protected under Free Speech its.. For its case close range spots ( spangles ), a long tail! To be found in Australia bird, birds, Colorful birds Oriolidae – Figbirds, Orioles and Drongo which in. 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Or any of the published material Administrator | Web Design by Drupal Development Services central-east however. Bird species Note: any content published on this page are the sole property of the.. Prey is guided into the world forked tails, and occasional mimicry of other bird species Cape York Peninsula taken... If their nest or young are threatened into the world wire being plucked, is! It seems, are meant to bring a bit of variety and comic relief into the.! Is noisy and conspicuous, usually active, and the Philippines and on some south-west Pacific.... Two to four eggs photos of the published material or images on this page the! Slightly hooked bill: unintelligent person ; `` moron `` or pick them or them!, but the female is slightly smaller adult has bright drongo bird australia eye and very. Relief into the bill with the same meaning: unintelligent person, idiot is 30 to 32 centimetres 14... 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