Wallacean Drongo
Dicrurus densus
A large red-eyed, glossy-black bird with a heavy bill and diagnostic tail shape. Tail is fanned at the tip and shallowly forked, the outer tail feathers often broad-tipped and slightly upturned. Juvenile has brown eyes. Singles, pairs, or groups can be found in varied habitats from sea level to foothills, including mangroves, forests, woodlands, and plantations, typically perching high. The only drongo in its range, this species can be told from crows by its red eyes and its tail shape. A noisy, vocal bird with highly varied calls, including metallic fluty notes, guttural “grrt” notes, and upslurred “weeeet” whistles.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Dicrurus densus
- Authority
- Bonaparte, 1850
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Dicruridae
- Genus
- Dicrurus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
The Wallacean drongo has a very large range and does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion. Its extent of occurrence is greater than 20,000 km2. The population trend is not known but it is not believed to be declining sufficiently rapidly, and the population size is believed to be large enough for it to not qualify as Vulnerable using the population size criterion. For these reasons the species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Royal Tern
Thalasseus maximus
Large tern, found strictly in coastal areas. Feeds in open ocean and saltwater bays, where it flies high above the water looking for small fish. Rests on beaches, often in groups with other species. Separated from many terns by large size; only slightly smaller than Caspian. Look for the thinner orange bill (usually not deep red) and shaggier crest compared with Caspian. Also, forehead whiter than Caspian Tern in the nonbreeding season; this can show as early as midsummer.
Sao Tome Green-Pigeon
Treron sanctithomae
Chunky, medium-sized pigeon that has a green back and gray underparts. Also note the purple shoulders and the whitish bill with a red base. Flight is fast and direct. Sometimes alone, though more often in small groups. The species clambers around clumsily like a parrot but can remain well hidden. Found in the canopy of rainforest, secondary forest, and plantations. Most common at middle elevations. Voice is a quiet but maniacal combination of sputters, whistles, and cackles. Easily identified, as it is the only green pigeon on the island of Sao Tome.
Gray Fantail
Rhipidura albiscapa
Small songbird with long, pale-tipped tail, tiny, thin bill. Gray above, pale below, with narrow pale wingbars and a thin black border between white throat and chest. Frequently cocks and fans tail. Subspecies vary in upperparts tone and extent of white in the tail. Inhabits wide range of habitats, very active in foraging, and rarely perches in the same place for long.
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