Wednesday 4 June 2014

Wild Bird Wednesday 99 - Spangled Drongo

I dont suppose that there are many birds that have given rise to a term of abuse - but it would seem that the Spangled Drongo is one of them.

I certainly knew the tern Drongo as an insult as a kid - and apparently it originates from the name of a horse (which was named after the bird!) which never really manage to be that good! As my book on the origin of Australia bird names says a drongo would be used for a person who was an honest trier who never really made it.  I must admit, I always found it to be an insult tinged with a bit of affection!

Enough of this - on to the bird.  The Spangled Drongo (Dicrurus bracteatus) is about 30 cm long, with a stunning red eye.  It can be frantically active (which the horse named after it was not!) and has a fan shaped tail - its described in my field guide as a "fish tail".  These shots we're taken on Magnetic island a while ago - and it was one of the few times I saw these birds perched.



If you enlarge the images you can just start to see the "spangling" in the neck feathers.  Taking pictures of basically black birds against the sky is never the easiest of tasks.  The strange looking objects "floating" on the LHS of the pictures are seeds (I think) caught in spider webs.

Next week WBW will be 100!  So, I will be reposting a selection of my favourite images.

I assume that you all know the drill from here on - but if not, click on the button below and off you go into the wild world of WBW!

49 comments:

  1. a striking bird with red eye and fish tail! wasn't familiar with the term drongo. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Cool looking bird, love the red eyes! Aussie slang is quite interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Well, I can say I have never called anyone a Drongo and hope I never do, but will keep that word in my inventory just in the event that the opportunity may arrive. Yes, I see the spangles on the enlarged version. Happy "almost" anniversary. I may be on the road this time next week and actually out of cell phone and Internet range for the better part of the following three weeks.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Impressive tail on that bird and I love his eyes. I can just about hear the tone of voice a person would use when calling someone a "drongo". I kind of want to use it... (but definitely not a term anyone I know would be familiar with. Especially the ones I want to use it on!).

    ReplyDelete
  5. That red eye is hard to miss. Pretty cool bird.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Those seeds floating in the background of the photo are phenomenal! Your drongo is stunning. We have the Fork-tailed Drongo and it also makes a good photo subject. Thanks for the explanation about the name. I will link to your post tomorrow (Wednesday in East Africa!) Greetings, Jo

    ReplyDelete
  7. That red eye really makes the bird stand out. From Findlay

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love the red eye and the forked tail. Enjoyed reading your narration too, Stewart.

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a beautiful bird standing between them.
    Very nice blog and great links.

    Greetings, Helma

    ReplyDelete
  10. A very handsome bird with striking red eyes.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow Stewart that's an incredible beautiful bird. And that red eye is amazing!! Gives is a powerful and unique presence.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Try as I may, I can't see any Spangling. I will have to take your word for it that it is there. As for the "Drongo", I have to take exception ... he is anything but that. We have nothing like him here and I think he is quite beautiful ... and you say he is anything but lazy, so the "Drongo" part has to go. You really must speak to the poeple who are coming up with these names. Surely they can do better. I can't wait to see your pictures next week ... hard to believe it has been 100 weeks. Time flies when you're having fun. Have a great week, Stewart.

    Andrea @ From The Sol

    ReplyDelete
  13. Drongos are beautiful birds, I know the Fork Tailed Drongo from Africa, they fast insect hunters.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great photos of an interesting bird. They stay around my place all winter.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Very sharp looking little guy. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Stewart, cool looking black bird. I love the red eyes. I looked hard for the spangling, is it on the front of the neck? Great shots, thanks for hosting. Wishing you a happy week!

    ReplyDelete
  17. that eye and webbed tail are awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  18. fish-tail .. the Spangled Drongos great to see; good catches Stewart

    ReplyDelete
  19. No derogatory words from me, I think it's a very handsome species.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I LOVE his tail shape and that lovely red eye against his black feathers. he's a stunning bird...have no idea why he would be maligned!

    ReplyDelete
  21. The name is indeed strange, but the bird is gorgeous! Love the red eyes and that curved tail!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi! Nice captures.Lovely red eyes! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  23. There's an elegance to your photos, Stewart, and I like the clean crisp lines of the drongo in your bottom photo, plus what a striking red eye against the black feathers.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oh, what an impressive bird!!! Red eyes are lovely♡♡♡ Thank you very much for hosting.

    Sincerely from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

    ReplyDelete
  25. The red eyes and fish tail make for a distinctive-looking bird.

    ReplyDelete
  26. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Striking bird and photo Stewart! Like others I can't help but notice the bright eye and fish tail. Wonderful composition of photos!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Interesting bird and interesting comments about the word 'drongo'. I am chuckling. MB

    ReplyDelete
  29. A lovely bird that reminds somewhat of a Bronzed Cowbird:)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Beautiful photos of the bird, the red eyes are awesome.
    Very well done, Stewart
    Greetings Irma

    ReplyDelete
  31. These birds are great and you have photographed them really well, black is a hard colour.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Just like the satin bower-bird, it is so hard to capture that shimmer of colour. Nice shots though showing the red eye and fish-tail.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Exciting with its red eyes!
    Greetings Pia

    ReplyDelete
  34. hij staat er mooi op ,wat kijkt hij streng.

    ReplyDelete
  35. As you might imagine I never heard the uncomplmentary term "Drongo" here in the UK, but you will remember some equivalents I'm sure. And maybe find some new age ones when you come over?

    I saw drongos in India. cant remember which but I don't think they were this red-eyed variety.

    Congrats on the almost 100 Stewart.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I like that red eye on this bird. This is another new bird for me!

    ReplyDelete
  37. that red eye certainly stands out, doesn't it? what a beautiful bird with its fishtail. your bird reminds me of our grackles minus red eye, of course. hope all is well. have a great day~

    ReplyDelete
  38. Red Eye on Magnetic Island would make a good book title. Great photos!

    ReplyDelete
  39. He's beautiful, Stewart! Wonderful captures - love that tail!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Love those eyes!! Boom, Bobbi and Gary.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Wow - fantastic bird. Thanks for the lesson - and the photos.

    ReplyDelete
  42. It looks very similar to our Fork-tailed Drongo. Nice shots.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Oh, Stewart, your photo puts mine to shame! Yet, mine will, I'll bet, make you smile...:)JP

    ReplyDelete
  44. That bird is pretty eye-catching with that red eye and its fish tail!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Very cool bird, Stewart.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Wonderful photos of this striking bird! I didn't know the horsey origin of its name, but I've also heard that 'Drongo' is a put-down of intelligence because for some reason, a small population of these birds migrate SOUTH for the winter, into colder climates.

    ReplyDelete
  47. It is a nice looking bird and the red eyes really are striking.
    Nice photos Stewart.

    ReplyDelete