Voice
Typical call a 1-second rasping sound like that of a cicada (Cicadidae), uttered irregularly at intervals of 2-10 seconds. A rasping 'dzak-tess-ik', in duet occasionally answered with short 'jieeh'. Utters a 'tsee-ik' call, sometimes accompanied by opening and closing of tail in scissor-like fashion.
Tablas Drongo (Dicrurus menagei) [XC93694]
by Guy Dutson from Dobdoban, San Agustin, Philippines (call)
Tablas Drongo (Dicrurus menagei) [XC79239]
by Desmond Allen from Tablas Island, Romblon Province, Philippines (song)
Subspecies
Has in the past been placed in a monospecific genus, Dicrachibia. Until recently was normally treated as conspecific with Hair-crested Drongo (Dicrurus hottentottus) and they may form a superspecies with Sulawesi Drongo (Dicrurus montanus), Sumatran Drongo (Dicrurus sumatranus), Wallacean Drongo (Dicrurus densus), Balicassiao (Dicrurus balicassius), Spangled Drongo (Dicrurus bracteatus) and Ribbon-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus megarhynchus).
No subspecies.
Similar Species
Hair-crested Drongo (Dicrurus hottentottus) best told by more narrow tail end which has similar shape with upturned outer rectrices, although their ranges apparently do not overlap.
References
See References.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet