Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus Scientific name definitions

22–24 cm; 22–30 g. A small drongo with glossy plumage, well-forked tail , and very depressed and flattened bill; feathers of crown, hindneck and upper breast long and pointed (but not becoming hackles). Nominate race is black, strongly glossed metallic blue-green or purple (depending to light) on crown, nape, mantle and breast (elongated feathers with gloss limited to tips), especially spangled on throat; frontal band, chin and upper throat , flanks and belly to undertail-coverts deep matt black; rump often grey; slender tail (105–131 mm) has central feathers black, glossed green, outer feathers black, depth of fork 19–39 mm; iris dark reddish-brown or crimson; bill and legs black. Sexes similar in plumage, male a little larger than female. Juvenile has upperparts duller and less heavily spangled than adult, is uniformly sooty brown and initially not spangled below, iris brown; first-winter has white spotting on breast, belly, flanks and underwing-coverts, and less forked tail (sometimes looking square-ended). Race <em>malayensis</em> is smaller than nominate (tail 90–111 mm), with tendency to be slightly glossier, particularly on rump, belly very dark grey, axillaries and underwing-coverts with a few white spots; <em>braunianus</em> is largest (tail 117–130 mm), has resplendent deep metallic bluish-green on upperside , plumage somewhat smoky on belly, white spots on axillaries, bill shorter and much broader than nominate and well covered with feathers.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Mainly insectivorous; prey include flies (Diptera), Hymenoptera and Lepido­ptera. Reported as consuming flower nectar. Hunts in canopy, including crown of giant emergent trees, in open spaces or edges of forest, and on edge of cultivated areas in Malay Peninsula. Hawks winged insects , making short sallies, and often swooping close to ground, then looping back to same perch; also makes vertical sorties from treetop, diving back with wings held closed after a capture. In Malaysia, reported as perching on small trees or bamboo and hawking after prey from them, usually at middle-storey level; in Borneo often seen on rivers, skimming water to catch flies in manner of a swallow (Hirundinidae). Along forested or wooded margin of small roads, utilizes wires as still-hunting perches. Usually seen singly or in pairs (members of which widely separated); also a regular member of mixed feeding parties of insectivorous birds.

Noisy and demonstrative during breeding season, less so otherwise; reported as singing on moonlit nights in Thailand. Song pleasant, with varied short phrases of loud musical whistles or harsh notes, rapid chatters, downstrokes and twangy notes, nasal churrs and rolling strophes. Calls include a dry sound followed by 2 quick high-pitched nasal notes, "gzrrt nyip-nyip"; downslurred whistles, "sleeurk, sleeurk", produced by pairs or trios; loud continuous chorus of sharp or harsh notes given by groups in Bhutan. Much mimicry of raptors, such as Crested Serpent-eagle (Spilornis cheela) in Malaysia, also of upland passerines e.g. Javan Cuckoo-shrike (Coracina javensis) and Orange-bellied Leafbird (Chloropsis hardwickii).