Day 36 - Drongos on the wing

Early morning light, 
the drongo and bulbul sit
an ink wash painting.

A black drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus) and a Red vented bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer)share space on the neighbour's teak tree.  

It is something I have noticed - sharing of tree space by so many species.  It is usually only the crow that is the local bully,  chasing smaller birds off their perches.  

Sometimes in the forests, these birds travel together in mixed hunting parties.  You will find the forest silent, and then ten minutes later, suddenly there is bird call from everywhere.  The drongos are the sentinels and the ones that raise an alarm - they are amazing mimics too.  The other littler birds gain security and safety - somewhat like those bodyguards and security cars that our politicians employ.  And then just as quickly, the flock will move on and that beautiful cheerful orchestra recedes.  

Every time I experience it, I cannot put in words the wonder and the sensory pleasure I experience.  The experience is more immense and powerful when I am birding alone.

Friendship Networks – Mixed Hunting Flocks has more.  Beautifully written.

The drongos give the security and the other birds disturb and flush the insects out.  But what about its forked tail?

Umesh mentioned - "The forked tail is basically to help in agility and maneuverability. Drongos hunt insects in the air and need to be quick and agile in flight. Sometimes, they also steal prey from other birds... Forked tails help in better control in flight and hence in these functions. It may also help evade predators (although we don't often see drongos being hunted)"

Yuvan pointed to a research paper On the aerodynamics of birds’ tails which says

"A forked tail is more sensitive to changes in angle of attack and angle of spread, than other tail types. Forked tails are more susceptible to damage than other tail morphologies, and suffer a greater loss of performance following damage..."

As I watched, the drongo went after a butterfly and then came back, its fork tail quivering, and calling loudly.  After a bit, it swopped and left.  The bulbul preened for a while and then left.

My morning cuppa was done and I too left - for my walk.