Balicassiao

The balicassiao (''Dicrurus balicassius'') is a species of passerine bird in the family Dicruridae.
It is endemic to the Philippines. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forests.

Description and taxonomy

EBird describes the bird as "A medium-sized, long-tailed bird of lowland and foothill forest in the northern and central Philippines, where it is the only drongo in range. Entirely black with glossy blue upperparts and streaks on the head and neck. Tail flares out at the tip. A white-bellied race of the central Philippines may represent a separate species. Similar to Philippine Drongo-Cuckoo, but larger, with a thicker bill and upturned tail tips. Song is a complex mixture of grating scolds and loud whistles."

In 1760 the French zoologist Mathurin Jacques Brisson included a description of the balicassiao in his ''Ornithologie'' based on a specimen collected in the Philippines. He used the French name ''Le choucas des Philippines'' and the Latin ''Monedula Philippensis''. The two stars (**) at the start of the section indicates that Brisson based his description on the examination of a specimen. Although Brisson coined Latin names, these do not conform to the binomial system and are not recognised by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature. When in 1766 the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus updated his ''Systema Naturae'' for the twelfth edition, he added 240 species that had been previously described by Brisson. One of these was the balicassiao. Linnaeus included a brief description, coined the binomial name ''Corvus balicassius'' and cited Brisson's work. The specific name ''balicassius'' is from ''Balicasiao'', the Cebuano word for this bird. This species is now placed in the genus ''Dicrurus '' that was introduced by French ornithologist Louis Pierre Vieillot in 1816.

Subspecies

Three subspecies are recognized:

* ''D. b.balicassius —'' Found on Central and South Luzon, Polillo, Lubang, Verde, Mindoro, Marinduque and Catanduanes
* ''D. b. abraensis —'' Found on North Luzon
* ''D. b. mirabilis —'' Found on Ticao, Masbate, Panay, Guimaras, Negros, Bantayan and Cebu; has a distinct white belly and may be a separate species

Behaviour and ecology

Typically seen perching on a single conspicuous branch, where it flies of to catch insects and returns to the same perch. Also, forages by turning and searching leaves and flowers for insects. Forages alone or in small groups.

Not much is known about its breeding habits. Birds collected in breeding condition with enlarged gonds in October to July. It is generally believed that this species species breeds year-round. Nest found in March was described as an open cup made of brown plant fibers and cobwebs. This nest contained 3 eggs. No other information was published.

Habitat and conservation status

Its natural habitats at tropical moist lowland primary forest and secondary forest up to 1,200 meters above sea level.

The IUCN Red List has assessed this bird as least-concern species as it is still locally common and has a large range despite deforestation in the Philippines

References

Drongos
Birds of the Philippines
Endemic fauna of the Philippines
Birds described in 1766
Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus
Taxonomy articles created by Polbot

{{Dicruridae-stub
Endemic birds of the Philippines