Black Drongo

The Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus) is a small, sleek, and glossy black bird, a member of the drongo family Dicruridae. It is easily recognized by its distinctive forked tail and measures about 28 cm in length. A white spot at the base of the gape is often seen in adults, while juveniles may exhibit a brownish hue with some white barring towards the belly.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Black Drongo, look for its all-black plumage with a metallic sheen, dark brown iris, and a prominent forked tail. The bird exhibits strong and agile flight, often seen perched upright on exposed branches, wires, or even on grazing animals. Juveniles lack the forked tail and have white-tipped feathers on the belly and vent.

Habitat

This species thrives in open agricultural areas and light forests, where it can be seen perching conspicuously on bare perches or utility lines.

Distribution

The Black Drongo is a common resident breeder across tropical southern Asia, from southwest Iran through Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, extending east to southern China and Indonesia. It is also an accidental visitor to Japan.

Behaviour

The Black Drongo is known for its aggressive behavior towards larger birds, such as crows and birds of prey, earning it the nickname "king crow." It is also observed that smaller birds often nest near the Black Drongo for protection.

Song & Calls

The species is capable of producing a variety of calls, with a common one being a two-note "tee-hee" similar to that of the shikra (Accipiter badius).

Breeding

Breeding occurs mainly in February and March in southern India, with nests being a thin layer of sticks placed in tree forks. Both parents incubate the eggs, which hatch after about 14 to 15 days.

Similar Species

The Black Drongo can be confused with the Ashy Drongo, but the latter has a crimson iris and different vocalizations.

Diet and Feeding

The diet consists mainly of insects such as grasshoppers, cicadas, and beetles. Black Drongos are often seen following ploughs in fields to catch disturbed insects or taking advantage of insects fleeing from fires in scrublands.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies the Black Drongo as Least Concern due to its large range and stable population. However, introduced populations in the Pacific have caused ecological concerns by threatening native bird species.