Dicrurus paradiseus platurus

(Vieillot, 1817)

Vernacular names
English : Greater racket-tailed drongo
French : Drongo à raquettes

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Passeriformes
Family : Dicruridae
Notes : 12 other subspecies known.

Identification
Large drongo species reaching a total length (including long tail) of 65 cm for a weight of 124 g. Shiny black plumage with metallic blue iridescence. Red eyes, small crest on forehead. Greatly elongated wire-like spatulated tail streamers. Subspecies with tuft-like erect forehead feathers.

Range and habitat
Subspecies occurs in Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and nearby small islands. Species occurs from India to South China, south to Java and Bali. Lives in humid forests, mangroves, plantations, bamboo jungles, up to 1500 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : This species is globally safe and occurs in many protected areas. Island endemic populations are at great risk because of human settlement expansion.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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