The drongo is about 25–27·5 cm long, excluding outermost tail feathers (c. 30–40 cm to end of tail); average weight of males is between 39–49 grams while females are between 35·5–44 grams.[citation needed] Its feathers are black with a bluish metallic gloss. The end of its tail has long shafts more than 50 centimetres (20 in).[2]: 282
It can be confused with the greater racket-tailed drongo, but the latter doesn't have a crest on head and its tail is square cut.[2]: 282
Taxonomy
There are 4 recognised subspecies of lesser racket-tailed drongo:[4]
D. r. tectirostris (Hodgson, 1836) – lower Himalayas from N India (Uttarakhand) E to Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram, NE Bangladesh, S China (SE Xizang, W & S Yunnan and SW Guangxi), Myanmar (except extreme S), N Thailand, N Laos and N Vietnam (S to Huê).
D. r. peracensis (E. C. S. Baker, 1918) – S Myanmar (Tenasserim) and SW & S Thailand S to N Peninsular Malaysia (S Selangor and S Pahang), S Laos and S Vietnam (S to S Annam).
D. r. lefoli (Delacour & Jabouille, 1928) – mountains of S Cambodia (Cardamom and Elephant Ranges).
D. r. remifer (Temminck, 1823) – Sumatra (Barisan Range and Batak Highlands) and W Java.