Ceylon Crested Drongo

Sri Lanka Crested Drongo "Dicrurus lophorhinus"

About 30 cm, this glossy black bird is common in the remaining low country wet zone forests. The prominent crest and long tail feathers separate them from the other Drongos in the area. They are a “nuclear” member of the mixed species feeding flocks of the low country wet zone. Playing the role of a “sentinel” species, it is often heard through the forest canopy.

The nest is built on an open branch attached to it with mosses and lichens. The shallow cup holds around 2-3 eggs. The hatchlings stay stiff in the nest well camouflaged, even though the nest is exposed. The parent birds defend the nest and nestlings very well.