Fun Hair-crested Drongo Facts For Kids
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The hair-crested drongo (Dicrurus hottentottus) is a large bird found in Sulawesi, Indonesia, French regions, and other Asian countries.
Besides possessing the exotic crest of feathers on its head, it also has an unusual tail consisting of two pairs of feathers that are commonly mistaken for wings while perched. The hair-crested drongo (Dicrurus hottentottus) will usually keep to trees or low shrubs during daylight hours and spend nighttime in flight looking for insects like moths and beetles.
These birds of the world are found mainly on tropical coasts and they hunt for insects along muddy banks.
Drongos also build nests with sticks which hang from trees or other objects high up off the ground, often as much as 32 ft (10 m)!
They are known to be aggressive and territorial when defending their nests from possible predators such as other birds or ground mammals. The most distinguishing characteristic of this species is its colorful feathers that grow on top of its head which resemble an exaggerated hairdo!
The hair-crested drongo (Dicrurus hottentottus) has long, pointed tail feathers and some have the red crown patch that distinguishes them from other drongos who lack this feature.
They feed primarily on large insects such as crickets, however, they will also eat small lizards if given the opportunity to do so. If you are so fascinated by this bird you can refer to the hair-crested drongo range map before hitting off the road to find these incredible beauties.
For more relatable content, check out these western bluebird facts and eastern kingbird facts for kids.
Hair-Crested Drongo Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a hair-crested drongo?
The hair-crested drongo (Dicrurus hottentottus) is a type of Asian and French bird that is considered conspecific and its birdlife has been studied extensively by scientists over the years.
What class of animal does a hair-crested drongo belong to?
Just like every other related bird including a mockingbird, the hair-crested drongo (Dicrurus hottentottus) belongs to the class Aves. The drongo bird belongs to the family Dicruridae and genus Dicrurus.
How many hair-crested drongos are there in the world?
The world contains many different types and groups of animals but it is difficult to know exactly how many exist in total since we are still discovering more every day. It is worthwhile mentioning that the international distribution of the hair-crested drongo (Dicrurus hottentottus) bird is plenty and has a Least Concern status.
Where does a hair-crested drongo live?
The hair-crested drongo (Dicrurus hottentottus) is among the small birds of the world and belongs to the family Dicruridae.
The drongo hair-crested bird lives in forest habitats that are never too far from water, typically near lowland rivers, and close to human settlements where it can exploit food sources such as garbage tips or dirty washing ponds with high protein content.
What is a hair-crested drongo's habitat?
These are tropical songbirds who inhabit forests found throughout South Asian countries, especially India, as well as parts of French regions of the world. These drongo birds often travel in small flocks.
Who do hair-crested drongos live with?
The hair-crested drongo (Dicrurus hottentottus) birds species lives in large family groups consisting of a breeding hair-crested drongo pair, their offspring including both current and previous broods, as well as other related adults in their cozy little hair-crested drongo nest. This bird species often flies in flocks.
How long does a hair-crested drongo live?
It is not known how long the hair-crested drongo (Dicrurus hottentottus) bird species live for, but it has been speculated that their life expectancy is around 12 years.
How do they reproduce?
The hair-crested drongo (Dicrurus hottentottus) bird has an interesting way of reproduction. It lays two to four eggs at one time after mating with the male partner that are incubated for roughly 24 days later. Once hatched, the young leave approximately 14 weeks when they are fully grown.
What is their conservation status?
The conservation status of the hair-crested drongo (Dicrurus hottentottus) birds of the world is Least Concern.
Hair-Crested Drongo Fun Facts
What do hair-crested drongos look like?
These noisy spangled drongo birds (Corvus hottentottus) have large eyes designed for spotting predators from afar as they search the ground below them. Their feathers are largely black or brownish-black, apart from their bold white chest plumes and yellow underparts which stand out against dark tree trunks in the islands when perched high above us while hunting insects.
How cute are they?
If you were looking for a cuddly creature to spot in the wild, then the hair-crested drongo bird species is perfect. The birds in this species are absolutely gorgeous.
How do they communicate?
The hair-crested drongo birds species are known for their beautiful, long crest feathers that they use to communicate with each other throughout their birdlife over the wide range distribution on an island.
When one drongo from the flocks tilts its head and raises its tail in an upright position, the others will do so as well until all of them have tilted their heads back down.
How big is a hair-crested drongo?
This bird species can grow as much as 11-14 in (30-35 cm) in length.
How fast can a hair-crested drongo move?
The bird is one of the fastest birds in terms of wingbeat frequency and can reach a speed as high as 60 mph (100 kph).
How much does a hair-crested drongo weigh?
The drongo bird species can commonly reach weights up to 0.1-0.2 lb (80-100 g).
What are the male and female names of the species?
Both sexes are referred to as drongo birds.
What would you call a baby hair-crested drongo?
The babies of this bird species are popularly known as drongo chicks or babies.
What do they eat?
Small insects and invertebrates make up most of their diet but they also eat smaller reptiles like lizards, coral snakes,and frogs.
Are they dangerous?
No, they are not dangerous whatsoever. They might even be one of the friendliest bird species on the world map.
Would they make a good pet?
It is possible to keep a hair-crested drongo as a pet. Though they are high-maintenance, their striking beauty and intelligence make them an interesting addition to any household. However, they are wild animals and we should allow them to live in their natural habitat.
Did you know...
The hair-crested drongo has subspecies inlcuding the Brevirostris, Hottentottus, Faberi, Termeuleni, Jentincki, Viridinitens, Borneensis, Suluensis, Leucops, Banggaiensis, Pectoralis, and Guillemardi.
How did hair-crested drongos get their name?
It's unclear how they got their name but most people speculate it has something to do with the crest on top of their head which can be used as protection from potential predators like birds and owls in the world.
What is the hair-crested drongo's range?
The hair-crested drongo has a size range from 11-14 in (30-35 cm) long with an average weight of 0.1-0.2 lb (80-100 g).
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our sea eagle facts and harpy eagle facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable ashy drongo coloring pages.
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With a Bachelor's degree in Dental Surgery from Shaney Institute of Health Sciences and a Master's degree in Public Health from Imperial College London, Iram is a highly qualified and accomplished writer from Srinagar, India. Over the course of a year, she has acquired multiple writing certifications, focusing on health sciences and research studies. Prior to joining Kidadl, Iram gained valuable experience working as a content writer for Indian firms and interning at a New York-based company. Her expertise and passion for writing shine through in her ability to create compelling content across a variety of topics.
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