Greater Racket-tailed Drongo

A large black drongo with a notched tail and long, racketlike outer tail streamers, a glossy neck, and an obvious crest that curves backwards. Juveniles are duller and often lack the tail streamers. Prefers woodlands and forests where it may be found associating with mixed flocks, other drongos, and birds such as treepies and babblers. Similar to other drongos when without tail, but combination of notched tail, crest on forehead and medium-sized bill set it apart. An accomplished mimic with variety of vocalisations including metallic jingling sounds.

IMPORTANT POINTS

iN SHORT 

Racket Tailed Drongo

●Greater Racket-tailed Drongo bird gets its name from the distinctive elongated outer tail feathers with webbing restricted to the tips, making them look like rackets. 

●The bird is glossy black with a prominent crest. 

●It is found in broad-leaved forests and is largely restricted to the Western Ghats in Karnataka. 

●These birds are diurnal but are active well before dawn or late at dusk.

●If you are staying in a wooded area in the Western Ghats, you are very likely to be woken up by the metallic calls of this bird.

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