Fork-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo
Surniculus dicruroides
Glossy small black cuckoo with a forked tail. Juvenile has a galaxy-like smattering of white spots all over the body. Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo has a less prominently-forked tail; note less difference in length of outermost tail feathers. Adults may be confused with drongos, but are lighter-billed and smaller, with distinctly white-barred undertail. Widespread, found in forests and scrubby plains from lowlands up into foothills and mountainous areas, but much more often heard than seen, typically sitting still in the middle and upper levels of forest; song is an extremely loud ascending series of whistles. Lays its eggs in the nests of babblers, bulbuls, and shrikes.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Surniculus dicruroides
- Authority
- (Hodgson, 1839)
- Order
- Cuculiformes
- Family
- Cuculidae
- Genus
- Surniculus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
White-collared Pigeon
Columba albitorques
A dark pigeon that is endemic to the Abyssinian highlands. There is a white mark on the back of the head, and white patches in the wings that are conspicuous in flight. Found at middle and high elevations. Nests in rocky areas as well as in towns and cities, and feeds mainly in grassland and cultivated areas. Can be similar to the highly variable feral Rock Pigeon, but distinguished by the white mark on the head. Not very vocal, but does sometimes give a low cooing call.
Spectacled Tyrant
Hymenops perspicillatus
Fairly common locally in fresh and brackish marshes and wet pastures, where male is often conspicuous, perching atop bushes or wires. Besides his glossy black plumage with yellow bill and eyering, the male often attracts attention by big white wing patches that flash in flight. The very different female is much less noticeable and often keeps to vegetation. Female is overall streaky with a yellowish bill and eyering, and bright rusty wing flashes. Compare with female Yellow-winged Blackbird.
Malabar Parakeet
Psittacula columboides
This striking parakeet is restricted to the forests of India’s Western Ghats. Bluish-gray male has a bright red upper bill and a black-and-blue collar. The greener female has an all-dark bill and a weaker black collar. Both sexes have blue in the wings and tail, though male’s is more prominent. Gives harsh, buzzy, high-pitched screeching, often as the birds shoot overhead. Favors forest and forest edge.
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