Avian, which is typically found across tropical southern Asia, Ryukyu Islands of Japan, and Indonesia, was recently spotted in Manori
The ashy drongo that was spotted in Manori. PICS/DAKSHESH ASHRA
A rare sighting has excited Mumbai’s birding and wildlife community. The ashy drongo (white-lored) has been recorded in the city for the first time. The bird was recently spotted in Manori by birder Dakshesh Ashra. The ashy drongo, a hill-breeding species, is typically found across tropical southern Asia, from eastern Afghanistan to southern China, the Ryukyu Islands of Japan (especially Okinawa), and Indonesia.
Ashra, a resident of Malad, has been a regular visitor to the Manori area, documenting bird species for the last two years. During his recent visit to Manori, a quaint fishing village located in the northern part of the city, he spotted and clicked pictures of the bird, which appeared rare and looked similar to a drongo.
He showed the pictures to bird experts, including Adesh Shivkar, Praveen J, and Ashok Mashru, only to find that the species was ashy drongo — and this was arguably the first photographic record of this species from the Mumbai region.
Learning this, Ashra said, “I was thrilled to spot a rare White-lored ashy drongo. With its elegant grey plumage and striking white facial markings, the bird is an uncommon visitor to our region (Manori hills) and a first record of Maharashtra. Its unexpected appearance has been a real treat for bird lovers and a reminder of the beauty in our natural surroundings."
Ashra has documented around 80 to 90 species of birds from this region and wants to document more in order to create awareness about the rich bird biodiversity in the area. According to birdcount.in, within the Indian subcontinent, the ashy drongo (Dicrurus leucophaeus) breeds in the Himalayas and in parts of central India during summer. During winter, they migrate to lower altitudes and latitudes and are typically found in wooded habitat across the Himalayan foothills, the Northeast, and the peninsula.
Many subspecies of ashy drongo are also found throughout East and Southeast Asia, most of which migrate south during the winters. A particularly interesting subspecies — the Chinese White-faced ashy drongo — migrates in small numbers to the Andaman and Nicobar islands.
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