The greater racket-tailed drongo is a medium-sized Asian bird which is distinctive in having elongated outer tail feathers with webbing restricted to the tips. They are placed along with other drongos in the family Dicruridae. They are conspicuous in the forest habitats often perching in the open and by attracting attention with a wide range of loud calls that include perfect imitations of many other birds. One hypothesis suggested is that these vocal imitations may help in the formation of mixed-species foraging flocks, a feature seen in forest bird communities where many insect feeders forage together. These drongos will sometimes steal insect prey caught or disturbed by other foragers in the flock and another idea is that vocal mimicry helps them in diverting the attention of smaller birds to aid their piracy. They are diurnal but are active well before dawn and late at dusk. Owing to their widespread distribution and distinctive regional variation, they have become iconic examples of speciation by isolation and genetic drift.
Region
South and Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs from the Indian Subcontinent through Myanmar and southern China to Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, and parts of Indonesia. It inhabits evergreen and moist deciduous forests, forest edges, and well-wooded gardens. Often seen in the mid-canopy to subcanopy, where it perches conspicuously and sallies for prey. It readily joins or follows mixed-species flocks in mature forest and secondary growth. Tolerant of light disturbance but most abundant in intact forest.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This species is famous for its long outer tail feathers that end in spatulate 'rackets' and for a forward-curving crest on the head. It is an accomplished mimic, weaving calls of many other birds into its own repertoire, which may help it lead or exploit mixed-species foraging flocks. Bold and opportunistic, it will sometimes steal prey flushed by other birds.
The crest size and shape varies across its range
Greater racket-tailed drongo showing the twisted rachis and racquets
In flight, at Nijgadh, Nepal
Temperament
bold and assertive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile sallies and brief glides
Social Behavior
Often forages in pairs or small groups and frequently associates with mixed-species flocks, where it may act as a sentinel and sometimes kleptoparasitize. Territorial during breeding, building a small cup nest high in trees. Both sexes contribute to territory defense; breeding season varies across its wide range.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A highly varied repertoire of whistles, rattles, harsh scolds, and fluid notes interspersed with accurate imitations of other birds. Vocal at dawn and dusk, with loud, carrying calls that make it conspicuous in forest habitats.
Plumage
Glossy black with a metallic blue-green sheen; feathers sleek and lustrous. Outer tail feathers are elongated with narrow shafts and spatulate webbing restricted to the tips.
Diet
Primarily hunts flying and foliage-dwelling insects such as beetles, moths, cicadas, and wasps. Also takes spiders and occasionally small vertebrates, and may sample nectar or fruit opportunistically. Known to snatch insects flushed by other birds and to pirate prey during flock foraging.
Preferred Environment
Feeds from perches in the mid- to upper canopy, making swift sallies into the air or to nearby foliage. Frequently works forest edges, clearings, and light gaps where insect activity is high. Will follow mixed-species flocks to exploit disturbed prey.
