Tablas drongo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tablas drongo |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Dicrurus
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| Species: |
menagei
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The Tablas drongo (Dicrurus menagei) is a special bird from Asia. It belongs to a bird family called Dicruridae, which are known as drongos. This bird used to be thought of as the same as the hair-crested drongo, but now we know it's its own unique species.
This amazing bird lives only on Tablas Island in the Philippines. It's easy to spot with its shiny black feathers and a long tail that looks a bit like a fish's tail. It makes its home in tropical old-growth forest, which means very old, untouched forests.
For many years, before 1998, people didn't see this bird much. This was because not many surveys were done on Tablas Island. Today, experts believe there are only about 50 to 250 adult Tablas drongos left. This makes it one of the most endangered birds in the Philippines. Its biggest problem is that its forest home is disappearing.
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What is the Tablas Drongo Like?
The Tablas drongo is a medium-sized bird with a long tail. It lives high up in the trees of the forest canopy on Tablas Island. It's the only drongo you'll find there.
This bird is completely black. Its wings, the top of its head, and streaks on its neck and chest have a glossy, shiny blue color. It looks a bit like another bird called the Philippine Drongo-Cuckoo. However, the Tablas drongo is bigger. It also has a thicker beak and a tail that splits deeply, with the tips curving upwards.
Unlike some other drongos, this bird isn't very noisy. When it does make sounds, its voice can include a harsh, scratching sound. This is often followed by a loud, high-pitched whistle.
What Does the Tablas Drongo Eat?
The Tablas drongo is an insectivorous bird. This means it eats insects. It catches its food in a few ways. Sometimes it "hawks" for prey, which means it flies out from a perch to catch insects in the air. It also looks for food among leaves and on tree trunks.
Where Does the Tablas Drongo Build its Nest?
The nest of the Tablas drongo is like a small cup. It's made from thin twigs and plant fibers. The birds weave these materials together to make a nest that is about three-quarters of a sphere. They hang their nest from thin branches. These nests are usually found among the leaves in the outer parts of tall trees. Often, they are high above a stream.
Where Does the Tablas Drongo Live?
The Tablas drongo lives in tropical moist lowland primary forest. This means it needs very old, natural forests that have a thick, closed canopy of trees. You might sometimes see them at the edge of clearings, but they don't live in areas where the forest has been completely cut down. They are often seen in the middle layer of tall trees, especially near streams.
Why is the Tablas Drongo Endangered?
The IUCN Red List is a list that shows how threatened different species are. It says the Tablas drongo is an endangered species. There are only an estimated 50 to 250 adult birds left.
The biggest danger to this bird is habitat loss. This means its forest home is being destroyed. Forests are being cleared for a few reasons. There is both legal and illegal logging, where trees are cut down. Forests are also being turned into farmlands. This often happens through methods like Slash-and-burn, where land is cleared by cutting down and burning trees.
Even in the small amount of forest left on Tablas Island, there aren't many Tablas drongos. They don't live in high numbers even where their habitat remains. Mount Palaupau on Tablas Island is an important area. It acts as a watershed, which means it helps collect and supply water for the island.
What is Being Done to Help?
Right now, there are no specific programs just for saving the Tablas drongo. However, experts have suggested some important actions. These include doing more surveys to learn more about where the birds live and how many there are.
It's also important to start education and awareness campaigns. These campaigns would help people on the island learn about the bird. They would also help locals feel proud of this unique species. Finally, efforts are needed to protect the remaining forests. It's also important to see if it's possible to plant new trees in areas where forests have been lost.
