Aldabra drongo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aldabra drongo |
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| Aldabra drongo in Outer Islands, Seychelles | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Dicrurus
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| Species: |
aldabranus
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The Aldabra drongo (Dicrurus aldabranus) is a cool bird that belongs to the drongo family. It's special because it lives only on the Aldabra island in the Seychelles. This bird is quite rare, with only about 1000 of them left.
Aldabra drongos are mostly black. They have a strong beak and bright red eyes. Their tail is long and splits into two parts, like a fork. Young drongos look a bit different. They have grey backs, lighter bellies, and brown eyes. You can often hear them making a rough, chuckling sound.
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Where Does the Aldabra Drongo Live?
The Aldabra drongo lives only on the Aldabra atoll in the southwest Seychelles. This means it is an endemic species, found nowhere else in the world.
These birds prefer to live in wooded areas. You can find them in thick bushes and trees. They also like coastal casuarina forests and mangrove forests. These are the places where they usually build their nests.
What Does the Aldabra Drongo Eat?
The Aldabra drongo mainly eats insects. It also hunts small geckos and lizards. When it's hunting insects, the drongo will sit on a branch. Then, it quickly flies out to catch insects in the air.
Sometimes, these birds will hunt on the ground. This is more common for young drongos. They are still learning how to catch food while flying.
How Do Aldabra Drongos Communicate?
Aldabra drongos are known for being very noisy birds. They make many different sounds. These calls help them talk to each other.
For example, male and female drongos sing a musical duet together. This happens during mating season. They also have a special alarm call. This call sounds like "ti-ti-you caw caw." It warns other drongos about danger.
Who Discovered the Aldabra Drongo?
The Aldabra drongo was first officially described in 1893. It was named by a scientist named Robert Ridgway. The bird that is most closely related to the Aldabra drongo is the crested drongo.
