Black Drongo at sunset
Silhouette of a Black drongo perched on a weathered post in front of the setting sun. Tal Chhapar, Rajasthan, India.
About the Black Drongo:
The Black drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus) known locally as Bhujanga, is a medium sized asian passerine. It is a resident breeding bird in much of tropical Asia including Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Southern China.
Drongos are not truly black, typically having glossy blue-black or green-black plumage and a distinctive forked tail. Adult birds usually have a small white spot at the base of their beak.
The black Drongos diet is primarily insectivorous, however they also take small reptiles, birds and bats. They have also been observed feeding on flower nectar, playing an important role in plant pollination
find out more about the Black Drongo.
About Tal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary:
Tal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Northwestern Rajasthan on the fringe of the Great Indian Desert; The Thar. This small grassland habitat is surrounded by sparse scrub and dry dusty plains peppered with salt pans. Originally a hunting ground for the Maharaja of Bikaner it was declared a sanctuary in the 1960s.
India’s Grasslands are home to some of its most endangered species, many of which are endemic. This important habitat now only exists in a handful of places in India and is sadly becoming increasingly scarce.
This stunning grassland wasn’t always the paradise seen today. After decades of neglect and encroachment by the nearby salt production the sanctuary was in a sorry state. Thanks to efforts coordinated by Mr. S.S.Poonia, the range forest officer at Tal Chhapar, over the years the grassland has been transformed. After gradually stripping away the invasive plant; Prosopis juliflora a variety of grasses were planted such as Mothiya grass, a favourite of the blackbucks, which derives its name from ‘moti’ meaning pearl, as its sweet seeds look like pearls. The final result is vast swathes of pristine grassland bustling with animal life.