These insect-eating birds are found in usually open forests or bush. Most are black or dark grey in colour, sometimes with metallic tints. They have long forked tails, and some Asian species have elaborate tail decorations. They have short legs and sit very upright whilst perched, like a shrike. They flycatch or take prey from the ground.
Two to four eggs are laid in a nest high in a tree. These are aggressive and fearless birds, given their small size, and drongos will attack much larger species if their nest or young are threatened.
Family: Dicruridae
Subfamily Monarchini: monarchs and paradise flycatchers
As one might expect, drongos that tend to associate with larger flocks of other bird species (more than 20 birds) show increased numbers of foraging trips and harvest a larger number of insects in a given time than those associated with smaller flocks.
The drongo and the other bird species do not compete for the same food source, so the relationship -- known as a commensal relationship -- is a good one for the drongo.
Drongos are considered remarkable for the courage with which they will attack and dive off larger birds.
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