|
Brain
Finch told me some time ago that the Spangled Drongo in PNG can mimic up to 60
different birds. While it might lure small birds in, it is more probably
a way of demonstrating intelligence and biological fitness. My local
Drongos seem to specialise in Sacred Kingfisher calls, for what that is
worth.
Tim
Murphy.
---Original Message-----
From:
[On Behalf Of Phillip
DUKE
Sent: Wednesday, 18 February 2004 6:57 PM
To:
Subject: [BIRDING-AUS] Spangled
Drongo
I read with interest Robyn Howard's account of
the Spangled Drongo's mimicking other birds calls.
In July 1974 while camping on the Back Beach of
Fraser Island, I saw a Drongo take a Scarlet or Red-headed Honeyeater
while both were on the wing. This was the only time I've seen a
Drongo take another bird.
Would this mimicking be a form of
entrapment?
| 