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General Information
Description:
The Spangled Drongo grows from 28cm to 33cm and has glossy black plumage,
with iridescent blue-green spots (spangles) and blood red eyes. Both male
and female are similar but the female is slightly smaller. Some white
spotting can be seen on the upper wings of both sexes. The long, forked
'fish' tail is characteristic, and distinguishes the Spangled Drongo from
other similar-sized black birds. Young birds are more sooty black without
the spangles and the eyes are brown.
 Voice: Frequently
aggressive to other species, the Spangled Drongo is noisy and usually
active. It can make a variety of sounds, including some distinctive
metallic notes like a stretched wire being plucked, and occasionally copies
the calls of other bird species.
Habitat:
Spangled Drongos are found throughout Northern and Eastern Australia where
they prefer the wetter forests. They can also be found in other woodlands,
mangroves and parks but they tend to avoid more dense forest types and
rainforest interiors. Birds are more common in the north, and are often seen
either singly or in pairs. Spangled Drongos in different areas of
Australia, migrate in different ways. Those from the north tend to migrate
more than the southern ones. Birds from the northern areas of Western
Australia and the Northern Territory migrate northwards to Indonesia, while
the eastern Australian birds migrate to New Guinea. Some Drongos in the
south-east and central-east, however, remain in the same area or head south,
occasionally turning up in Tasmania.
Food:
The Spangled Drongo is perches on an open branch or telegraph wire, and
waits for passing insects. Once they spot the insect, they chase it with an
acrobatic display, and catch its prey with its slightly hooked bill. The
Spangled
Drongo then returns to its perch to eat its victim. Insects are also
taken from foliage and from under bark and are the main prey but fruit and
nectar also form part of its diet.
Breeding: Spangled Drongos breed from
September to March, and usually only lay once per season. Both adults
take part in building the nest, which is a shallow cup of twigs, vine
tendrils and grasses, held together with spider web. It is built in a
horizontal fork of tree, normally toward outer edges and up to 10m - 20m
above the ground. Both male and female help hatch egg and there may be from
three to five eggs. Both also care for the young. Spangled Drongos actively
defend the nest against intruders.
Reference: Information -
Australian Museum Fact Sheet
Photo: © MSR Sharland, Nature Focus
Some information and pictures were taken from children's charts and
where credited to that child does not claim to be original information.
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