Migrating black drongo Dicrurus macrocercus feeding on passerines on a stopover Island, Korea

Abstract

A migrating Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus was observed consecutively feeding on a Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maura and an Asian Stubtail Urosphena squameiceps on Hongdo Island, Jeonnam Province, Korea. Unlike previous reports of occasional, apparently exceptional, avian predation by the Black Drongo, this sequential observation suggests that the Black Drongo may selectively hunt avian prey. During Black Drongo migration, when other migrating passerines are abundant and insect availability is relatively low, such behavior would help meet its high energy demands. © Yamashina Institute for Ornithology.