Home › Aves › Dicruridae › Ashy Drongo (Dicrurus leucophaeus)
SPECIES PROFILE
Ashy Drongo (Dicrurus leucophaeus)
Dicrurus
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Indian subcontinent southeast Asia
DIET
Insectivorous
HABITAT
Open woodlands scrub forests
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Passeriformes
FAMILY
Dicruridae
GENUS
Dicrurus
📋 Description
SIZE
25-30 cm long 40-50 g
COLORATION
Ashy grey with forked tail red eyes
ADAPTATIONS
Agile flight for hawking insects perches prominently
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Open woodlands scrub forests
DIET
Insectivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Indian subcontinent southeast Asia
REPRODUCTION
Lays 3-4 eggs in cup nests incubated 14-16 days
DIET DETAILS
Insects small vertebrates
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss pesticide use
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Ashy Aerialists: Ashy Drongos hawk with 45-gram bodies catching 15 grams of insects daily in Himalayan foothills. Their ashy plumage is subtle.
2
Migratory Sentinels: These drongos cover 2000 sq km in Rajasthan's woodlands mobbing predators. Climate change affects their migration.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary in Kerala
Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
October-March Dry season enhances visibility for spotting drongos
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Watch ashy drongos perched hawking insects
