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!
a striking bird with red eye and fish tail! wasn't familiar with the term drongo. :)
ReplyDeleteGood capture!!!
ReplyDeleteCool looking bird, love the red eyes! Aussie slang is quite interesting.
ReplyDeleteWell, 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.
ReplyDeleteImpressive 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!).
ReplyDeleteThat red eye is hard to miss. Pretty cool bird.
ReplyDeleteThose 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
ReplyDeleteThat red eye really makes the bird stand out. From Findlay
ReplyDeleteLove the red eye and the forked tail. Enjoyed reading your narration too, Stewart.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful bird standing between them.
ReplyDeleteVery nice blog and great links.
Greetings, Helma
A very handsome bird with striking red eyes.
ReplyDeleteWow Stewart that's an incredible beautiful bird. And that red eye is amazing!! Gives is a powerful and unique presence.
ReplyDeleteTry 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.
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From The Sol
Drongos are beautiful birds, I know the Fork Tailed Drongo from Africa, they fast insect hunters.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of an interesting bird. They stay around my place all winter.
ReplyDeleteVery sharp looking little guy. :)
ReplyDeleteStewart, 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!
ReplyDeletethat eye and webbed tail are awesome.
ReplyDeletefish-tail .. the Spangled Drongos great to see; good catches Stewart
ReplyDeleteNo derogatory words from me, I think it's a very handsome species.
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteThe name is indeed strange, but the bird is gorgeous! Love the red eyes and that curved tail!
ReplyDeleteHi! Nice captures.Lovely red eyes! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThere'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.
ReplyDeleteOh, what an impressive bird!!! Red eyes are lovely♡♡♡ Thank you very much for hosting.
ReplyDeleteSincerely from Japan, xoxo Miyako*
The red eyes and fish tail make for a distinctive-looking bird.
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ReplyDeleteStriking bird and photo Stewart! Like others I can't help but notice the bright eye and fish tail. Wonderful composition of photos!
ReplyDeleteInteresting bird and interesting comments about the word 'drongo'. I am chuckling. MB
ReplyDeleteA lovely bird that reminds somewhat of a Bronzed Cowbird:)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of the bird, the red eyes are awesome.
ReplyDeleteVery well done, Stewart
Greetings Irma
These birds are great and you have photographed them really well, black is a hard colour.
ReplyDeleteJust 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.
ReplyDeleteExciting with its red eyes!
ReplyDeleteGreetings Pia
hij staat er mooi op ,wat kijkt hij streng.
ReplyDeleteLove those red eyes!
ReplyDeleteAs 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?
ReplyDeleteI saw drongos in India. cant remember which but I don't think they were this red-eyed variety.
Congrats on the almost 100 Stewart.
I like that red eye on this bird. This is another new bird for me!
ReplyDeletethat 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~
ReplyDeleteRed Eye on Magnetic Island would make a good book title. Great photos!
ReplyDeleteHe's beautiful, Stewart! Wonderful captures - love that tail!
ReplyDeleteLove those eyes!! Boom, Bobbi and Gary.
ReplyDeleteWow - fantastic bird. Thanks for the lesson - and the photos.
ReplyDeleteIt looks very similar to our Fork-tailed Drongo. Nice shots.
ReplyDeleteOh, Stewart, your photo puts mine to shame! Yet, mine will, I'll bet, make you smile...:)JP
ReplyDeleteThat bird is pretty eye-catching with that red eye and its fish tail!
ReplyDeleteVery cool bird, Stewart.
ReplyDeleteWonderful 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.
ReplyDeleteIt is a nice looking bird and the red eyes really are striking.
ReplyDeleteNice photos Stewart.