The Sri Lanka drongo (Dicrurus lophorinus) or Ceylon crested drongo, is a species of bird in the family Dicruridae. It is endemic to Sri Lanka. It was previously considered a subspecies of the greater racket-tailed drongo. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland and montane forests. Dicrurus lophorinus Vieillot, 1817, was in the past been placed in monospecific Dissemurulus, or in Dissemuroides. May form a super species with D. paradiseus, often treated as conspecific, but differs in tail morphology and probably in voice. Molecular-genetic studies required in order to elucidate taxonomic status. Few inter grades with race ceylonicus of D. paradises formerly reported along border between wet and dry zones, but interbreeding not now possible, since suitable habitat no longer remains between the two ecological zones, now completely separated. The species can be found throughout Wet zone of South Western parts of Sri Lanka, from Deduru Oya to Walawe. The Sri Lanka drongo has black plumage with a metallic blue or greenish-blue sheen. It has an arching, helmet-like crest, red eyes, and a deeply-forked tail. Both sexes are indistinguishable from each other. It is a forest bird as other drongos that can is confined to forest edges, plantations, and wooded gardens. Like most drongos, it feeds on insects from open perches. A superb mimic of the calls of other birds but always has a metallic sound.
Large, upright, blackish bird with a long, deeply-forked tail and tuft of feathers on the forehead. Typically found in pairs, often in mixed flocks, within the understory of humid forests in the lowlands and foothills of Sri Lanka’s Wet Zone. Lacks rackets, unlike similar Greater Racket-tailed Drongo. Tuft of feathers above the bill is absent in similar Ashy and Black Drongos. Tail shape an important feature: deeply-forked with curled up tips to the outer tail feathers unlike other drongos. Very vocal, with varied repertoire, including a repetitive “whichitu-whichitu-whichitu”, and metallic “kerplee”, as well as complex whistles, bell-like calls, and scratchy notes Forest , forest edges, plantations, wooded gardens. Like most drongos, hawks after insects from open perches. A superb mimic of the calls of other birds but always has a metallic sound. The Sri Lanka Drongo is endemic to Sri Lanka. It is found in the wet zone and nearby hills of the SW of the island. This medium-sized bird has glossy black plumage and a long, forked tail. Very noisy, it is known to mimic the songs of other bird species. It feeds on insects caught in the air by hawking, and it is often seen foraging in groups. During the breeding season, the Sri Lanka Drongo shows peculiar behaviour during the nest-building period. The cup-shaped nest is built in tree, and the species protects the nest-site from predators by eliminating part of the vegetation that helps snakes and small mammals to reach the nest and the chicks. The canopy foliage between the nest-site and the adjacent trees is removed by breaking off and destroying the vegetal part too close to the nest, making the habitat safe for nesting and rearing the young. The Sri Lanka Drongo is aggressive and able to mobs and chase large predators such as Birds of Prey and hornbills.
