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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Dicruridae
  4. ›
  5. Dicrurus
  6. ›
  7. Spangled Drongo
Spangled Drongo
Photo · (c) Donald Davesne, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Spangled Drongo

Dicrurus bracteatusGould, 1843

Updated 11 June 2026

Origin: Native
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Dicruridae
Genus
Dicrurus

At a glance

The Spangled Drongo is a medium-sized bird, about 28–33 cm long, native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
28–33 cm
Origin
Native
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Very common
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Voice
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Spangled Drongo look like?

The Spangled Drongo is a medium-sized bird, about 28–33 cm long and weighing 64–105 g.

The spangled drongo is a bird of the family Dicruridae. It is the only drongo to be found in Australia, where it can be recognised by its black, iridescent plumage and its characteristic forked tail. It feeds on insects and small vertebrates. It has complex and varied calls and is a mimic of the sounds it hears. It arrives in Queensland in late spring and breeds high in an isolated tree, producing three to five young each year.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
28–33 cm
Weight
64–105 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Spangled Drongo?

The Spangled Drongo is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

04 · Voice

What it sounds like

Call

Suzanne Muzic · Chesney Rd, Bartle Frere, QLD, AU

Call

Suzanne Muzic · Chesney Rd, Bartle Frere, QLD, AU

Call

Bethlea Bell · Bouldercombe QLD 4702, Australia

Call

Martin Rady · Mount Nebo QLD 4520, Australia

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Spangled Drongo eat?

The Spangled Drongo feeds on nectar/pollen, terrestrial invertebrates and terrestrial vertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or flocks or alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

5 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Spangled Drongo live in Australia?

The Spangled Drongo is native to Australia, recorded across 44 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingMoluccas, New Guinea region, north and east Australia, Bismarck Arch. and Solomon Is.

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Non-breeding
  • Breeding

8 regions recorded