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.[2]
| Aldabra drongo | |
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| Aldabra drongo in Outer Islands, Seychelles | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Dicruridae |
| Genus: | Dicrurus |
| Species: | D. aldabranus
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| Binomial name | |
| Dicrurus aldabranus (Ridgway, 1893)
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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.[2]
Its natural habitats are tropical mangrove forests and casuarina woodland and dense scrub.
Taxonomy
editThe Aldabra drongo was first described by Robert Ridgway in 1893.[3] The closest relative to the Adabra drongo is the crested drongo.[4]
Distribution and habitat
editThe 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.[5]
Behaviour
editThe Aldabra drongo feeds primarily on insects and small geckos and lizards. When hunting insects, it will perch on a branch and catch the insects in mid-air. It may feed on the ground, however this behaviour is usually seen by juveniles who are unskilled in mid-air hunting.[5]
It is known for being a highly vocal bird, with a wide variety of calls. These calls appear to server a variety of communication needs, including a musical duet sung between male and female during mating, and an alarm call described as "ti-ti-you caw caw".[5]
References
edit- ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Dicrurus aldabranus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22706943A94098323. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22706943A94098323.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ a b Skerrett A, Bullock I & Disley T (2001) Birds of Seychelles. Helm Field Guides ISBN 0-7136-3973-3
- ^ Ridgway, Robert (1893). "Descriptions of some new birds collected on the islands of Aldabra and Assumption, northwest of Madagascar, by Dr. W. L. Abbott". Proceedings of the United States National Museum. 16 (953): 597–600. doi:10.5479/si.00963801.953.597.
- ^ Pasquet, Eric; Pons, Jean-Marc; Fuchs, Jérôme; Cruaud, Corinne; Bretagnolle, Vincent (October 2007). "Evolutionary history and biogeography of the drongos (Dicruridae), a tropical Old World clade of corvoid passerines". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 45 (1): 158–167. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2007.03.010. PMID 17468015.
- ^ a b c Rocamora, Gérard; Yeatman-Berthelot, Dosithée (4 March 2020). Del Hoyo, Josep; Elliott, Andrew; Sargatal, Jordi; Christie, David; De Juana, Eduardo (eds.). "Aldabra Drongo (Dicrurus aldabranus)". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.alddro1.01. S2CID 216268567.
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