The Black Drongo Raising Its Young

 The Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus), a common sight across India, is known for its fearless and aggressive nature, particularly when it comes to defending its nest and young. This behaviour has earned it the informal name "King Crow."

Both the male and female participate in building their nest, a process that usually takes about a week. The nest is a neat, cup-shaped structure made from a thin layer of fine sticks, roots, and dry fibres. It's often lined with softer materials. They strategically place their nests in the fork of an outer branch of a tree, usually at a height of 5.5 to 12.5 meters from the ground.

The breeding season for Black Drongos in India generally runs from February-March in southern India, extending to August in other parts of the country, often coinciding with the onset of the first rains. The female typically lays a clutch of three, or rarely four, eggs. Both parents share the incubation duties, which last for approximately 14 to 15 days. The young grow rapidly, reaching a maximum weight of about 50 grams by day 15. The parents are highly dedicated in feeding their young, primarily bringing a diet of insects. The chicks fledge, or leave the nest, after about 16 to 20 days of hatching. However, their independence is not immediate. The parents continue to feed and protect them for another month or so after they fledge.

Black Drongos are renowned for their aggressive defense of their nesting territory and young. They will fearlessly mob and dive-bomb much larger birds, including crows and birds of prey, that venture too close to their nest, even sometimes landing on the larger birds to peck them. This fierce protectiveness is crucial for the survival of their offspring.