Greater Racket-tailed Drongo

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.

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Greater Racket-tailed Drongo at Jelutong Tower. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo at Jelutong Tower. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo at Jelutong Tower. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo at Faber Hill. Photo Credit: Francis Yap