Bronzed Drongo

The Bronzed Drongo (Dicrurus aeneus) is a small, Indomalayan bird, a member of the drongo family. It is distinguished by its metallic gloss and spangled appearance, particularly on the head, neck, and breast. The species is more compact than its cousin, the Black Drongo, and features a slender, deeply forked tail with outer feathers that flare outward slightly.

Identification Tips

Adult Bronzed Drongos exhibit a velvety texture on the lores and duller ear coverts. Immature birds are duller, brownish, and exhibit less spangling, with axillaries tipped in white. The bird's size varies slightly across its range, with some geographical variation in subspecies.

Habitat

This species is a resident of moist broadleaved forests, where it is exclusively found. It prefers the shade of the forest canopy, which provides ample cover and hunting grounds.

Distribution

The Bronzed Drongo is native to the Western and Eastern Ghats of India, the lower Himalayas, extending eastwards into Indochina and Hainan, and southwards to the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and northern Borneo.

Behaviour

Bronzed Drongos are typically observed alone or in small groups, actively foraging for insects with remarkable aerial agility. They are known to return to favored perches after sallies. Occasionally, they may join mixed-species foraging flocks. These birds are also adept mimics, capable of imitating the calls of various other bird species.

Song & Calls

The Bronzed Drongo is a skilled vocal mimic, a trait it shares with other members of the Drongo family. Its own calls are varied and complex, often used to communicate within the species or to deceive others.

Breeding

The breeding season spans from February to July. The Bronzed Drongo lays three to four pinkish to brownish eggs in a cup-shaped nest, which is often camouflaged with cobwebs and appears whitish. The eggs are darker at the broader end and may have cloudy spots.

Similar Species

The Bronzed Drongo can be confused with other drongos in the region, but it is generally smaller and more compact, with a distinctive fork depth and gloss pattern on its feathers.

Diet and Feeding

This bird is an insectivore, capturing insects in flight under the forest canopy. It employs aerial sallies from perches to hunt its prey.

Conservation status

The Bronzed Drongo is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of population decline.