Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo

Overview

The square-tailed drongo-cuckoo, Surniculus lugubris, is a species of cuckoo noted for its resemblance to the black drongo. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Distinguished by a downcurved beak and a white-barred vent and outer undertail.
• The tail is only notched with slightly flared tips.
• A white wing-stripe is visible from below during flight.
• Calls consist of series of piercing sharp whistles that rise in pitch but are shrill and delivered choppily.

Habitat

Found along the Himalayas extending east into Southeast Asia.

Did you know?

Although its drongo-like appearance benefits the species in unclear ways, it is suspected to aid in brood-parasitism on small babblers in the same manner that hawk-cuckoos mimic hawks.