Ashy Drongo (Dicrurus leucophaeus)
Order: PASSERIFORMES
Family: DICRURIDAE Drongos
Scientific name: Dicrurus leucophaeus
English name: Ashy Drongo
Characteristic: Size 29 cm. At a glance, it is very similar to the Black Drongo, but having greyish plumage which is usually darker on the upperside; also with red eyes, black legs and deeply-forked tail.
Distribution: Afghanistan, China, Southeast Asia, Hainan, Taiwan, the Andamans, the Greater Sundas, and Palawan.
Habitat: Found in all types of deciduous forest, dry evergreen forest, moist evergreen forest, magrove forest, from the plain to high hills. In Sakaerat, it inhabits all natural types.
Habit: Often seen as a single bird, a pair or a small flock, perching always on the tree tops. Hunting for flying insects by chasing after them in the air, sometimes recorded to feed on nectar. In case of forest fire, this agile drongo will be in the air above the fire and take aall chances ot catch the heat-driven insects. Normally, it is a highly aggerssive bird and boldly defends its occupied territory against any much-larger birds, such as birds of prey who happened to invade into its territory. This bird breeds in April to May, a cup-shaped nest is built at the outermost tree fork, where it will lay a clutch of 3-4 eggs. The incubation period is 14-15 days.
Status: Both the resident and migratory populations are present in this country. They are common birds in Sakaerat area during November to March, but much scarce at other times. Protected legally as protected wild animal.
