Scientific Name: Dicrurus paradiseus
Malay Name: Cecawi Anting-anting Besar
Chinese Name: 大盘尾
Range: Breeding Range: (OR) widespread
Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: grandis, rangoonensis, paradiseus, johni, ceylonicus, otiosus, nicobariensis, hypoballus, platurus, microlophus, brachyphorus, banguey, formosus.
Local Subspecies: platurus
Size: 33-35.5 cm
Identification: Large drongo with two twisted pendant-like tail extensions. Glossy feathers, with backward-curving tuft on forehead. Differs from Crow-billed Drongo by tail extensions. Where extensions are missing, this species can be told apart from Crow-billed Drongo by forehead tuft, and more linear tail fork. Told apart from Black Drongo as both species are found in different habitats. Greater Racket-tailed Drongos are also glossier, with tail distinctly less forked.
Similar looking species: Black Drongo, Crow-billed Drongo, Hair-crested Drongo
Habitat: Forest, secondary forest
Behaviour/Ecology: Calls loudly and often from perch, with a wide range of vocalizations. Calls told from other species it mimics by more metallic tinge. Often found in mixed-flocks. Reported to exhibit food kleptoparasitism.
Local Status: Common resident
Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)
Location: Forests, such as Central Catchment Forest, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Dairy Farm Nature Park and Kent Ridge Park.
- What bird is this, and why? (Birding Starter Pack)
- Local extinctions of Singapore birds (Science)
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Greater Racket-tailed Drongo)
References:
BirdLife International. (2016). Dicrurus paradiseus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T103711122A94102694.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023
RECOMMENDED CITATION
Singapore Birds Project. (n.d.). Greater Racket-tailed Drongo. Retrieved on June 1, 2023 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/greater-racket-tailed-drongo.