Spangled Drongo
Dicrurus bracteatus
Samsonvale Cemetery, SE Qld IMG_4804 20220610 - bracteatus adult: red-eyed. CLICK for another view.
Notes: All-black, metallic iridescence in optimal light; heavy
decurved bill; long, cleft fish-like tail.
Bright red eye. Juvenile dark-eyed,
immature brown-eyed. Ssp atrabectus clearly smaller than
nominate
bracteatus; baileyi is like nominate; carbonarius purple sheen,
rictal bristles long, throat
& breast w. large spangles. Can be noisy,
raucous. Partly migratory - most move N after breeding,
to N Qld and further
for winter. In rainforest, eucalypt forest, mangroves, parks.
Range from Morcombe©(modified)
Postmans Track, Lake Samsonvale, SE Qld IMG_1708 20220313 - bracteatus immature: brown-eyed.
Walkers Point, Woodgate, SE Qld IMG_7165 20190716 - bracteatus immature: brown-eyed.
Centenary Lakes, Cairns North, FN Qld IMG_5050 20190904 - atrabectus adult. CLICK for one at Freshwater Lake 20191117.
Cattana Wetlands, Cairns, FN Qld IMG_0986 20190422 - atrabectus adult. CLICK for another view.
Nautilus, Cairns North, FNE Qld IMG_1260 20200601 - atrabectus adult. CLICK for video of this bird.
Esplanade, Cairns North, FNE Qld IMG_9447 20230909 - atrabectus adult showing spangling. CLICK for a juvenile:dark eye, pale bill, dull plumage. Lily Creek, Cairns 20180302.
Litchfield NP, N NT IMG_5978 20160716 - bailyi adult. CLICK for another pic.
Mitchell Falls Camp, FNE WA IMG_8668 20180821 - baileyi adult. CLICK for another view.
Cattana Wetlands, Cairns, FN Qld MVI_1087 20190422 - atrabectus
Cairns North, FN Qld MVI_8395 20170725 - atrabectus juvenile fed by adult
Cairns North, FN Qld MVI_2942 20180524 - atrabectus