Lesser racket-tailed drongo

The lesser racket-tailed drongo is a species of bird in the family Dicruridae. It is found in the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia.

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Distribution

Region

Himalayan foothills and Indochina

Typical Environment

Found from the eastern Himalayan foothills of India into Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, southern China (Yunnan), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. It favors moist broadleaf hill and montane forests, often using the mid to upper canopy. Birds readily utilize forest edges, bamboo stands, and secondary growth where insect prey is abundant. It frequents ridgelines, ravines, and stream corridors, sallying out from shaded perches.

Altitude Range

200–2400 m

Climate Zone

Subtropical

Characteristics

Size25–30 cm

Wing Span30–35 cm

Male Weight0.07 kg

Female Weight0.06 kg

Life Expectancy8 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

This glossy black drongo is named for its long outer tail feathers that end in spatulate ‘rackets’. It often associates with mixed-species flocks and boldly mobs larger birds. Like many drongos, it is an excellent mimic and can weave other species’ calls into its repertoire. Compared with the greater racket-tailed drongo, it has a shorter, less flamboyant crest and generally smaller rackets.

Gallery

Incubating bird at Kaeng Krachan National Park in Thailand

Behaviour

Temperament

bold and territorial

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with agile, sallying flights

Social Behavior

Usually seen singly or in pairs, but frequently joins mixed-species flocks to forage. Pairs defend nesting territories and aggressively mob larger birds and predators. The nest is a small cup placed high in a tree, with both parents attending the young.

Migratory Pattern

Partial migrant

Song Description

A varied mix of clear whistles, metallic chinks, and harsh scolds. Skilled mimicry of other forest birds is common, and phrases are often repeated in fluid sequences.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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