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Photo: John Gerrard Keulemans / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)

Least Concern

Balicassiao

Dicrurus balicassius

Balicassiao (Dicrurus balicassius) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South & Southeast Asia.

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The Balicassiao (Dicrurus balicassius) is a member of the Dicruridae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 72.3 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

  1. Class Aves
  2. Order Passeriformes
  3. Family Dicruridae Drongos
  4. Genus Dicrurus
  5. Species balicassius

Where it lives

Northern, west-central Philippines (Luzon and West Visayas)

Quick facts

Weight
72.3 g
Family
Dicruridae
Habitat
Woodland

How to identify

Similar birds

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Balicassiao is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.

Behaviour

A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.

Migration

The Balicassiao is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Balicassiao (Dicrurus balicassius) is a member of the Dicruridae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR n, wc Philippines (Luzon and West Visayas).

It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 72.3 g, with a wing length of about 13.8 cm and a tail of around 11 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 152,000 km².

Songs & calls

Balicassiao — Flight call

Recorded by Ding Li Yong Licence: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Balicassiao?

The Balicassiao is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 72.3 g.

Where does the Balicassiao live?

The Balicassiao is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR n, wc Philippines (Luzon and West Visayas), where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.

What family does the Balicassiao belong to?

The Balicassiao (Dicrurus balicassius) belongs to the Dicruridae family, in the order Passeriformes.

What does the Balicassiao eat?

The Balicassiao is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.

Does the Balicassiao migrate?

The Balicassiao is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the Balicassiao endangered?

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

What sound does the Balicassiao make?

1 real field recording of the Balicassiao — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the Balicassiao's range?

The Balicassiao has a mapped global range of about 152,000 km².

Conservation

Least Concern

Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.

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