Greater Racket Tailed Drongo: Birds of Central India
These birds often move in mixed flocks with babblers and woodpeckers. They take up prominent perches over these flocks, watching carefully if a babbler or a woodpecker has caught an insect and then restlessly chasing them till they drop their catch.
Did you know that these birds are expert mimics? They can mimic almost everything – from the sounds of forests to those of the other birds.
Bhringraaj or Greater Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus) has a distinctive twirled racket tail. It is quite a common sight to find these Drongos near the Babblers. The reason being Racket-tailed Drongos are good mimics and they mimic the sounds of the bird of prey in order to acquire or snatch food from the Jungle Babblers and this is the reason they are generally found near the clattering Babblers.
Photo Courtesy: Ashish Tirkey
India is home to more than 1300+ species of birds. Indian avifauna includes a large variety of unique and rare species, ranging from very small Tickell’s Flowerpecker (around 8 cm)to the giant like Sarus Crane (height around 1800 cm). It also includes high-altitude flyers (from 25,000 feet) to barely lifting a few feet in the air.
Kanha National Park has open grasslands and meadows, areas with dense forests, many water bodies and lakes, a network of running streams and nalas, and undergrowth vegetation creating an ambiance and environment viable to support and nurture a variety of birds.
The best season for bird watching at Kanha Tiger Reserve is during winter. Many migratory birds visit India during winter, offering bonuses to bird watchers and intensifying the beauty of forests. On the other hand, the month of April is very good to see local birds as Mahua (Madhuca Indica) and many other local plants are in full bloom. The best way of enjoying bird watching trip is to trek inside the buffer zone of Kanha with an expert, where you will get to see the most species. Do carry a Binocular, a Bird Guide book, and loads of patience to enjoy and experience awesome birds.
The Racket-tailed Drongo gets its name from the long tail streamers that end in flat spatulate tips. They also have a loose crest of feathers on their head. They are encountered in woodlands moving in mixed flocks with woodpeckers and babblers. They are known to steal the insects or prey caught by these birds. They also mob larger birds while nesting.
Pench is abundant in natural beauty brimming with flora and fauna. Myriads of birds such as Grey-headed Fishing Eagle, White-eyed Buzzard, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Osprey, Black-Hooded Oriole, Sirkeer Malkoha, Grey Nightjar, Indian Scimitar Babbler, Scaly-Breasted Munia, Jungle Owlet, Common Hawk Cuckoo, Brown Fish Owl, Short Toed Snake Eagle, Yellow Footed Green Pigeon, Racket Tailed Drongo, Crested Treeswift, Jungle Babbler, varieties of Parakeet.
A variety of other migratory birds such as Brahmini duck, Pochard, Bar-headed Geese, Common Coot, etc visit the lake, filling the atmosphere with their flights and chitterings. In addition to these other migratory birds are Indian Pitta, Red Throated Fly Catcher, Orange Headed Ground Thrush, Jacobin Cuckoo, Grey Headed Canary Fly Catcher.
Where to stay in Kanha
Kanha Earth Lodge is spread over 16 acres of natural forest & is tucked away in a small tribal hamlet bordering Kanha Tiger Reserve. Its unique location ensures that it is close enough for easy access to the park, but still far enough from the busy tourism hub of Kanha National Park to offer its guests a true wilderness experience.
It is built in less than 10% of the 16 acres of natural forest that houses it. The lodge and its furniture is constructed and designed using local material, waste, and recycled wood, a true reflection of impeccable standards in green architecture. The absence of neighbouring lodges or thoroughfare creates an ideal setting for a peaceful and reflective time of relaxation and rejuvenation while enjoying India’s premier tiger reserve.
The 12 luxury bungalows with all creature comforts have been meticulously designed using locally available materials such as mud plaster, stone, terracotta tiles, and rough-hewn timber beams. The furniture has been delicately crafted using waste and recycled wood, thereby blending seamlessly with the natural forest setting.
Our spacious lounge & bar overlooking the forests is adorned with local artifacts and offers many cozy nooks for our weary guests. The library or reading room stocks a wealth of literature on the biodiversity of Central India and Kanha. It is also equipped with a presentation screen to host special wildlife documentaries or intriguing presentations by in-house naturalists, while the staff serves you freshly plated hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. The lodge also offers a formal dining hall and many alfresco locations for meals.
Where to stay in Pench
Pench has plenty of resorts and hotels for all budgets. If you desire to live close to nature and enjoy luxury at the same time, then Pench Tree Lodge is the place for you.
Pench Tree Lodge, located in the Sarra Hirri Village of Karmajhiri area of Pench, is a large forested estate with six deluxe tree houses. The lodge provides you the charm of tree houses, relaxation under the shade of Mahua trees, and all the luxury of a resort. Pench Tree Lodge is a unique experience in itself that offers the thrill and joy of staying in tree houses and romancing with nature.