Drongos (Dicruridae)
Balicassiao (Dicrurus balicassius) - HBW 14, p. 215
French: Drongo balicassio
German: Philippinendrongo
Spanish: Drongo Balicassio
Taxonomy: Corvus balicassius Linnaeus, 1766, Philippines.
Recent DNA studies indicate close relationship with D. hottentottus; both may be part of a superspecies that includes also D. menagei, D. montanus, D. sumatranus, D. densus, D. bracteatus and D. megarhynchus. Considered to be an early inhabitant of Philippine archipelago, not interbreeding with and well differentiated from representatives of related D. hottentottus present on W & S borders of its range. Nominate race intergrades with abraensis in NC Luzon (in region of Lingayen Gulf). Birds from Mindoro described as add.. View all taxonomy...
Recent DNA studies indicate close relationship with D. hottentottus; both may be part of a superspecies that includes also D. menagei, D. montanus, D. sumatranus, D. densus, D. bracteatus and D. megarhynchus. Considered to be an early inhabitant of Philippine archipelago, not interbreeding with and well differentiated from representatives of related D. hottentottus present on W & S borders of its range. Nominate race intergrades with abraensis in NC Luzon (in region of Lingayen Gulf). Birds from Mindoro described as additional race, mindorensis, supposedly slightly larger and having metallic reflections of upper breast greenish-blue (instead of bluish-green), but comparison of specimens with a series of nominate allow complete integration in latter. Three subspecies recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution:
- abraensis Vaurie, 1947 - N Philippines (N & C Luzon).
- balicassius ( Linnaeus, 1766) - N & C Philippines (C & S Luzon, Polillo, Lubang, Verde, Mindoro, Marinduque, Catanduanes).
- mirabilis Walden & E. L. Layard, 1872 - WC Philippines (Ticao, Masbate, Panay, Guimaras, Negros, Bantayan, Cebu).
- Least Concern Enlarge map
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the white-bellied sub-species here Locality Pandan, Antique Province, Panay, Philippines (ssp mirabilis)
Daniêl Jimenez 3 May 2009 2 years ago 21 sec 2.3 -
A bird on a branch and moving to another one. Locality Subic Bay, Luzon, Philippines
Desmond Allen 14 January 2008 3 years ago 11 sec 2.3
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One of a pair on a branch
Locality Subic Bay, Luzon, Philippines
Desmond Allen 1 November 2009 2 years ago 2 -
a pair on a branch
Locality Subic Bay, Luzon, Philippines
Desmond Allen 1 November 2009 2 years ago 2
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bird calling possibly in alarm Locality Subic Bay, Luzon, Philippines
Desmond Allen 1 January 2001 2 years ago 3.5
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