Bronzed drongo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bronzed drongo |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| From West Bengal, India. | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Dicrurus
|
| Species: |
aeneus
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Chaptia aenea |
|
The bronzed drongo (Dicrurus aeneus) is a small, shiny bird found in parts of Asia. It's part of the drongo family, known for their clever ways of catching insects. These birds live in forests, especially in places like the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. They often fly out from their perches to snatch insects right out of the air!
Contents
What Does the Bronzed Drongo Look Like?
This drongo is a bit smaller than the black drongo. It has a beautiful metallic shine, especially on its head, neck, and chest. It looks like it's covered in tiny, sparkling scales!
The area around its eyes (called the lores) is soft and velvety. Its ear feathers are a bit duller. The tail is thin and has a deep fork, with the outer feathers curving slightly outwards. Young bronzed drongos are duller and brownish, with less sparkle.
Bronzed drongos found in India and northern parts of the Malay Peninsula look quite similar. There are also slightly different types in Sumatra, Borneo, and the mountains of Taiwan.
Where Do Bronzed Drongos Live?
You can find the bronzed drongo in various parts of Asia. They live in the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats of India. They also live in the lower Himalayas, stretching from India all the way to Indochina and Hainan. You can also spot them in the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and northern Borneo.
These birds love moist forests with broad-leaved trees. They are always found in forested areas and prefer shady spots.
How Do Bronzed Drongos Live?
Bronzed drongos are usually seen alone or in small groups of two or three. They are very active hunters! They search for insects under the forest trees. They often fly out quickly to catch an insect in mid-air, then return to their favorite branch. This hunting style is called "hawking."
Sometimes, they join groups of different bird species that are all looking for food together. This helps them find more food and stay safe.
One cool thing about drongos is that they are great at copying the calls of other birds. They can mimic many different bird songs!
Breeding and Nests
The breeding season for bronzed drongos is from February to July. The female bird lays three or four eggs. These eggs are usually pinkish to brownish. They are darker at the wider end and often have cloudy spots.
The drongo builds a cup-shaped nest in a tree. They often cover their nest with cobwebs, which makes it look whitish. These birds are very brave and fearless. Even though they are only about 24 centimeters (about 9.5 inches) long, they will attack much larger birds if their nest or young are in danger!
Gallery
-
At Narendrapur near Kolkata, West Bengal, India
-
at Narendrapur near Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
_at_Narendrapur_near_Kolkata_I_IMG_7730.jpg)
