- Dicrurus macrocercus
Identification
Deeply forked long tail with slightly upturned tips distinctive. Plumage black with slight gloss.
Distribution
The Indian subcontinent and China through South-East Asia discontinuously to Java and Bali.
Taxonomy
There are 7 subspecies.
- D. m. albirictus from SE Iran to Afghanistan and n India
- D. m. macrocercus in Peninsular India
- D. m. minor in Sri Lanka
- D. m. cathoecus in China, n Myanmar, n Thailand, Laos, n Vietnam and Malaysia
- D. m. thai in S Myanmar, s Thailand and s Vietnam
- D. m. harterti in Taiwan
- D. m. javanus in Java and Bali
Habitat
Open country and ricefields.
Behaviour
Gregarious, gathering in small groups. Hawks for insects from open perches, including small trees and telephone wires. Forms communal roosts.
References
- Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.