Alternative name: Grand Comoro Drongo
- Dicrurus fuscipennis
Identification
26.5 - 29cm. The only drongo on Grand Comoro:
- Entirely deep lustrous black plumage with uniformly dark dull blue gloss
- Relatively long, shallowly forked tail
- Dark brown eye
- Black bill, slightly curved at end
Sexes alike, females are slightly smaller. Juveniles are blackish-brown to greyish.
Distribution
Endemic to Grand Comoro (Njazidja) in the Comoros Islands.
A rare and uncommon restricted-range species. Classified as endangered.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Pastures, plantations and moist lowland forests, edges and clearings. Requires tall trees and open airspace for aerial feeding. Occurs mainly at 500 - 1000m, locally lower.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds on large insects. Perches prominently on high trees and sallies out to seize prey on wing.
Breeding
Breeding season from September to at least December. A territorial species, highly aggressive towards raptors and other nest predators like Frances's Sparrowhawk. The nest is a neat cup placed 7 - 9m above the ground in a tree. Lays 1 - 2 eggs, possibly more.
A resident species.
References
- Clements, JF. 2010. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2010. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/Clements%206.5.xls/view
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Comoro Drongo. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 15 January 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Comoro_Drongo
