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, greater-racket tailed drongos can be told apart from crow-billed drongos by forehead tuft, 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: Crow-billed Drongo, Black 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.
Photos:
External Links:
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Photos: Oriental Bird Images
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. Downloaded on 2 September 2021