Greater Racket-tailed Drongo

The Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Dicrurus paradiseus, is a medium-sized bird native to Asia, notable for its elongated outer tail feathers with webbing restricted to the tips. These birds are part of the Dicruridae family and are known for their conspicuous presence in forest habitats, often perching openly and drawing attention with their wide range of loud calls, including perfect imitations of many other birds.

Identification Tips

This species is the largest of the drongos within its range and can be identified by its distinctive tail rackets and the crest of curled feathers that start above the beak and extend along the crown. The tail appears as if two large bees are chasing a black bird when in flight. The crest size and shape vary across its range, with significant differences among subspecies.

Habitat

The Greater Racket-tailed Drongo is typically found in forested areas, including the foothills of the Himalayas, the Western Ghats, and various islands extending from Borneo to Java.

Distribution

Their range extends from the western to the eastern Himalayas and the Mishmi Hills, through the hills of peninsular India and the Western Ghats, and further west to the islands of Borneo and Java in the east.

Behaviour

These drongos are diurnal, active before dawn and late at dusk. They are aggressive, often mobbing larger birds, especially when nesting. They feed mainly on insects but also consume fruit and nectar. They are known to steal insect prey caught or disturbed by other foragers in mixed-species flocks, possibly using vocal mimicry to aid their piracy.

Song & Calls

Their calls are extremely varied, including whistles, metallic and nasal sounds, complex notes, and imitations of other birds. They are known for their ability to accurately mimic alarm calls of other birds, a behavior that may help in the formation of mixed-species foraging flocks.

Breeding

The Greater Racket-tailed Drongo is a resident breeder with a breeding season in India from April to August. Their courtship display involves hops and turns on branches, and they build a cup nest in the fork of a tree. The usual clutch consists of three to four creamy white eggs with reddish-brown blotches.

Similar Species

The Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo is similar but has flat rackets and an almost absent crest. The Sri Lanka Drongo was once considered a subspecies but is now recognized as a separate species.

Diet and Feeding

These birds primarily feed on insects, supplementing their diet with fruit and nectar. They have short legs and typically perch on high, exposed branches to scan for food.

Conservation Status

The Greater Racket-tailed Drongo is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating it is not currently at significant risk of extinction.

In the forests of Asia, the Greater Racket-tailed Drongo is a master of mimicry and a sight to behold, with its dramatic tail feathers and commanding presence.