Birds in Taiwan

Endemic Species

Collared Bush-Robin

Flamecrest

Formosan Magpie

Formosan Whistling-Thrush

Mikado Pheasant

Steere's Liocichla

Styan's Bulbul

Swinhoe's Pheasant

Taiwan Barwing

Taiwan Bush-Warbler

Taiwan Partridge

Taiwan Yuhina

White-eared Sibia

White-whiskered Laughingthrush

Yellow Tit

Endemic Sub-Species

Black-browed Barbet

Black-naped Monarch

Black Bulbul

Black Drongo

Black Drongo

Dicrurus macrocercus harterti

Endemic subspecies

Endemic subspecies.  The Black Drongo is approximately 29 cm in length, shiny bluish-black overall with a long, deeply-forked tail.  Immature birds are similar, with whitish barring on the breast and belly.  The harterti subspecies which is a common resident year-round on Taiwan has a slightly shorter tail than do mainland birds.  Black Drongos inhabit open areas such as farms, ranches and ricefields at lower elevations up to about 800 meters.  They feed mainly on insects, which they usually catch on the wing, launching themselves from a prominent perch at the top of a tree or pole.  They will also pounce on insects disturbed by moving cattle, and even take them from the backs of the animals.

Black Drongos breed from April to July, building a cup-shaped nest in the fork of a tree near the end of a branch, usually 6 to 9 meters up, often preferring a tree which is standing alone in the open.  Both sexes share in incubating the eggs and caring for the young.  Black Drongos emit a variety of harsh or ringing calls.  They are aggressive towards raptors, chasing them away fearlessly, especially in defence of their nest. 

References:  A Field Guide to the Birds of China (Mackinnon and Phillipps); The Complete Guide to Birds in Taiwan (Jin-yuan Wang)