Sri Lanka Drongo

The Sri Lanka drongo, or Ceylon crested drongo, is endemic to Sri Lanka and was previously considered a subspecies of the greater racket-tailed drongo. Its plumage is black with a metallic blue or greenish-blue sheen, with an arching helmet-like crest, red eyes and a deeply forked tail. The sexes look alike (Wikipedia, species account).

It is found throughout the wet zone of south-western Sri Lanka, from Deduru Oya to Walawe. It is a forest bird, confined to forest edges, plantations and wooded gardens, and like most drongos it feeds on insects from open perches. It is a superb mimic of other birds' calls, though always with a metallic sound. Nationally Vulnerable (Sri Lanka National Red List 2012, listed as the Sri Lanka Crested Drongo, Dicrurus lophorhinus).