African elephant vs Black Drongo

Loxodonta africana compared with Dicrurus macrocercus

Key Differences

  • African elephant is Vulnerable while Black Drongo is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank African elephant Black Drongo
Kingdom same Animalia (Animals) Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same Chordata (Chordates) Chordata (Chordates)
Class Mammalia (Mammals) Aves (Birds)
Order Proboscidea (Elephants) Passeriformes (Songbirds)
Family Elephantidae (Elephants) Dicruridae
Genus Loxodonta (African Elephants) Dicrurus
Species Loxodonta africana Dicrurus macrocercus

Evolutionary Relationship

African elephant and Black Drongo share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

African elephant

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~415.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Black Drongo

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute African elephant Black Drongo
Diet Herbivore
Average Lifespan 65 years
Average Length 6.0 m
Average Weight 6.0 t

Habitat & Geographic Range

African elephant

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, and flooded grasslands and savannas, among 5 distinct biome types within the Afrotropic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found in Kenya. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Black Drongo

Habitat

Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments.

Range

Found in Norway.

African elephant

The largest land animal on Earth, African elephants can reach 7,000 kg and inhabit sub-Saharan savannas, forests, and wetlands. Highly intelligent with complex social structures led by matriarchs, they communicate through infrasound, rumbles, and touch. As ecosystem engineers, they shape habitats by uprooting trees, digging waterholes, and dispersing seeds. Vulnerable, with populations declining due to ivory poaching and habitat loss.

Black Drongo

The Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus) is a species in the genus Dicrurus. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments. Found in Norway.

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