Rare Sighting: Greater Racket-Tailed Drongo Spotted for First Time in Gurugram
In a remarkable event for bird enthusiasts, the greater racket-tailed drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus) was spotted for the first time in Gurugram’s Jhanjhrola area on Sunday morning. The bird, known for its affinity to moist, dense forests along the Himalayan foothills and terai regions, made an unusual appearance in the open agricultural fields of South Gurugram.
The sighting, recorded by birders Arvind Yadav, Gaurav Yadav, Anil Gandas, and Akshat Dua, occurred around 8:20 am. “It was a rare and exciting moment,” said Arvind Yadav. Despite being chased by crows and black drongos, the team managed to capture clear photographs for identification.
Bird experts noted the rarity of the event. “Greater racket-tailed drongos are typically vagrants to the Delhi region and prefer dense forests,” said veteran birder Sudhir Vyas. He emphasized that while scattered sightings have occurred in places like Surajpur and Mangar Bani, this is the first official record from within Gurugram district boundaries.
Kanwar B Singh, another seasoned birder, suggested that the drongo’s appearance could be linked to recent dust storms, which might have blown the bird off its usual course. Known for their mimicry skills, these birds rarely venture into semi-arid landscapes like Jhanjhrola.
Birders believe this sighting is a significant milestone, showcasing the hidden potential of South Gurugram’s landscapes for attracting rare and migratory bird species. They hope it encourages more documentation and conservation efforts in the region.
