Aldabra Drongo
Dicrurus aldabranus
Bold, black fork-tailed bird with a red eye. There is sometimes but not always a tuft of long feathers above the bill. Juveniles have an unusual pale-gray plumage, but still show the forked tail. Found in all habitats with bushes and trees on the remote Seychelles island of Aldabra, including forest, mangroves, and thick scrub. Perches prominently in the open, swooping out to catch insects on the wing. Often follows Madagascar Coucals and Aldabra Giant Tortoises, feeding on insects that they disturb. Song is a repeated sequence of whistles, creaks, and rasps.
Identification
The Aldabra drongo (Dicrurus aldabranus) is a species of bird in the drongo family Dicruridae. It is endemic to Seychelles, where it occurs only on the island of Aldabra. It has a small population of only around 1000 birds. The appearance of this species is typical for drongos, with entirely black plumage, a heavy bill and a red eye. The tail is long and forked. Juvenile birds have a grey back, lighter blotched undersides and a brown eye. Its call is a harsh chuckle. Its natural habitats are tropical mangrove forests and casuarina woodland and dense scrub.
Taxonomy
The Aldabra drongo was first described by Robert Ridgway in 1893. The closest relative to the Adabra drongo is the crested drongo.
- Scientific name
- Dicrurus aldabranus
- Authority
- (Ridgway, 1893)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Dicruridae
- Genus
- Dicrurus
Range and habitat
The Aldabra drongo is endemic to the Aldabra atoll in the southwest Seychelles. On these islands, it is found in wooded areas of dense scrub. It can also be found in coastal casuarina forest and mangroves, where it typically builds it's nests.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
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