The black drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus) is a small wholly black bird with a distinctive forked tail Feeding on insects, it is common in open agricultural areas and light forest throughout its range, The species is known for its aggressive behaviour towards much larger birds, such as crows, This behaviour earns it the informal name of King Crow. Smaller birds often nest in the well-guarded vicinity of a nesting black drongo The sexes cannot be told apart in the field.
They congregate in fields that are being ploughed, picking up exposed caterpillars and beetle grubs. As many as 35 birds have been seen at such congregations. Drongos benefit from this association and are more successful in their foraging.
Black drongos breed mainly in February and March, Eggs are laid close to the first rains in April. The usual clutch is three or rarely four eggs laid in a cup nest placed in the fork of an outer branch of tree.
The young leave the nest after about 16 to 20 days after hatching. They do not have the fork in the tail until three weeks. The parents continue to feed and protect them for a month.
They feed mainly on insects such as grasshoppers, cicadas, termites, wasps, bees, ants, moths,
beetles and dragonflies. They sometimes fly close to tree branches, attempting
to disturb any insects that may be present.
All photographs are taken in Lodha heaven Dombivili east Thane, Maharastra
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