| Palawan drongo | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Dicruridae |
| Genus: | Dicrurus |
| Species: | D. palawanensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Dicrurus palawanensis Tweeddale, 1878
| |
The Palawan drongo (Dicrurus palawanensis) is an Asian bird of the family Dicruridae. It was formerly considered conspecific with the hair-crested drongo. It is endemic to Palawan. It was formerly conspecific with the Hair-crested drongo but was designated as unique based on its different sounding call, physical differences and through molecular studies.
Description and taxonomy
It was formerly conspecific with the Hair-crested drongo species complex which has now been split into 7 different subspecies. Molecular studies have shown that among these, it's most similar to the other Philippine drongos - the Short-tailed drongo and the Balicassiao
Subspecies
Two subspecies are recognized:1
- D. p.palawanensis Tweeddale, A, 1878 – Found on Palawan, Busuanga, Culion, Balabac Island and Cagayancillo
- D. p. cuyensis (McGregor, RC, 1903) – Found on Semirara Island and Cuyo ; Glossier and slightly larger than nominate
Behaviour and ecology
Not much is known about its diet but it is presumed to be the typical drongo diet of nectar and insects.
It is also presumed to have similar habits to the Hair-crested drongo which lays 3-4 eggs.23
Habitat and conservation status
Its habitat is primary lowland forest, second growth and thick scrub up to 1,500 meters above sea level.
It is assessed as least-concern species under the International Union for Conservation of Nature with the population decreasing. Palawan's forests are under threat due to illegal logging, deforestation, land conversion and mining. The whole of Palawan was designated as a Biosphere Reserve; however, protection and enforcement of laws has been difficult and these threats still continue. It occurs in just one protected area in the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm.45
References
References
- AviList Core Team (2025). "AviList: The Global Avian Checklist, v2025". doi:10.2173/avilist.v2025. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
- Rocamora, Gérard; del Hoyo, Josep; Collar, Nigel; Yeatman-Berthelot, Dosithée; Christie, David; Kirwan, Guy M. (2023). "Palawan Drongo (Dicrurus palawanensis), version 1.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.paldro1.01. ISSN 2771-3105.
- del Hoyo, Josep; Collar, Nigel; Kirwan, Guy M. (2020). "Pale Spiderhunter (Arachnothera dilutior), version 1.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.palspi2.01. ISSN 2771-3105.
- IUCN (2023-05-23). Dicrurus palawanensis: BirdLife International: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2023: e.T232589773A235461135 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2023-1.rlts.t232589773a235461135.en.
- IUCN (2016-10-01). Arachnothera dilutior: BirdLife International: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T103778680A104295930 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2016-3.rlts.t103778680a104295930.en.
- International Ornithological Congress (July 25, 2020). "IOC World Bird List". Retrieved July 25, 2020.