Bronzed Drongo

Overview

The bronzed drongo (Dicrurus aeneus) is a small Indomalayan bird belonging to the drongo group. It is resident in the forests of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. The species is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Somewhat smaller and more compact than the black drongo, with more metallic gloss creating a spangled appearance on the head, neck and breast.
• The tail is slender and well forked, with outer tail feathers flaring outward slightly.
• Immatures have axillaries tipped in white, while young birds are duller and brownish with less spangling.
• Measures 24 cm in length.

Habitat

Found in the Western and Eastern Ghats of India, the lower Himalayas from western Uttaranchal eastwards into Indochina, Hainan, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and northern Borneo. The species is exclusively found in forested areas, usually preferring moist broadleaved forest.

Diet

They capture insects flying in the shade of the forest canopy by making aerial sallies from perches, often returning to favourite perches. They actively forage under the canopy and sometimes join mixed-species foraging flocks.

Did you know?

These are aggressive and fearless birds that will attack much larger species if their nest or young are threatened. They are very good at mimicking the calls of many other bird species.