Dicrurus atripennis
The Shining Drongo (Dicrurus atripennis) is a striking passerine bird, known for its deep, iridescent black plumage that shimmers with purple and blue hues in direct sunlight. Measuring approximately 20-22 cm in length, with a wingspan of about 30-35 cm and weighing 40-50 grams, its most distinctive field mark is its overall glossy black appearance contrasted by bright red eyes. Taxonomically, it belongs to the family Dicruridae, closely related to other drongos that are renowned for their ag...
This species primarily inhabits the canopy and sub-canopy of lowland primary and mature secondary rainforests, often near forest edges or clearings. It is typically found at elevations ranging from sea level up to around 1,000 meters.
The diet of the Shining Drongo consists predominantly of insects, particularly large flying insects like beetles, moths, and butterflies, captured via aerial pursuits. They occasionally consume small vertebrates, nectar, or fruit.
Shining Drongos are diurnal and highly active, exhibiting a bold and often aggressive demeanor. They are expert aerial insectivores, employing sallying flights from prominent perches to catch insects in mid-air, but also glean prey from foliage and bark. Highly territorial, pairs or individuals w...
The Shining Drongo is an endemic resident of the Guineo-Congolian forests of West and Central Africa. Its distribution extends from southeastern Ghana eastward through southern Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea (including Bioko Island), Gabon, Republic of the Congo, and the Democratic Republic...
Least Concern
- The Shining Drongo is a master mimic, capable of imitating the calls of numerous other bird species, which it often uses to confuse prey or even 'scam' other birds into dropping food. - It is notorious for kleptoparasitism, often using false alarm calls to scare other birds into dropping their ...