Ashy Drongo

Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus is widely distributed across South and South-east Asia with several populations that vary in the shade of grey, migration patterns and in the size or presence of a white patch around the eye.

It was common and seen on most days during this tour. Birds were seen flying mostly at or near the tops of trees but on this occasion, came closer and were easier to photograph against a flat grey sky. This bird is of the subspecies leucogenis which is pale grey with a dark forehead and a large white patch around the eye and ear coverts.

Ashy Drongo breeds in the hills of tropical southern Asia from eastern Afghanistan east to southern China and Indonesia. Many populations in the northern part of its range are migratory. The subspecies leucogenis has a range which includes Myanmar and peninsular Malaysia.

References: Wikipedia and Craig Robson (2005) Birds of South-East Asia published by New Holland.