Velvet-mantled Drongo vs Red-winged Starling

The Velvet-mantled Drongo and the Red-winged Starling can be distinguished primarily by their plumage and structure. The drongo has a more slender build with a forked tail, while the starling is bulkier with distinctive red wing patches. Both species are black, but the starling's red wings are a key differentiator.

1. Look for red wing patches: Only the Red-winged Starling has these. 2. Tail shape: The Velvet-mantled Drongo has a forked tail, unlike the starling. 3. Size and build: The starling is bulkier compared to the more slender drongo.

The Red-winged Starling is generally larger and bulkier than the Velvet-mantled Drongo.

The Velvet-mantled Drongo is uniformly black, whereas the Red-winged Starling has prominent red patches on its wings.