CUCKOO 10/14 - Drongo Cuckoo (Square-tailed)

 Drongo Cuckoo

Aptly called "drongo" cuckoo I think because of the similarity of its same shape & slender tail. Slightly larger than a pigeon. Can compare with a Bronze Drongo later. The glossy bluish feathers are almost the same. Only difference is in the shape of the beak and head features. You wonder it a mixed breed..........

They are very approachable and not easily spooked unless you move exaggerately. They are curious bugger too and will come 20-25 feet. near u which I did encounter the specie at ISI Rimba site in Kemensah last week.

Capture at Langkap-Ipoh Talang Nov2024

Surniculus lugubris also known as drongo cuckoo is a cuckoo species that resembles a black drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus). However, it can be differentiated by the shape of its tail which is not deeply forked as black drongo. Square-tailed Drongo-cuckoo generally appears glossy black with white barred vent. This bird is rarely seen but often heard because it resides on the canopy of tall trees. They produce a high, ascending pitched whistle sound ‘pi-pi-pi-pi-pi-pi’ to indicate its presence (Strange & Jeyarajasingam, 1993). This species can be found throughout the Oriental region but in Peninsular Malaysia, the Square-tailed Drongo-cuckoo inhabits the lowland rainforest as well as lower montane forest. (MyBis narration)