A drongo might be common, but it is no ordinary bird. Several of the species are accomplished mimics; their imitation of a cat’s meow is nothing short of masterful. The mynah is a brilliant mimic, too, using the skill to connect to their own kind or human friends. These birds do much more than mimicry, for birds, in general, are fascinating.
A Black Drongo
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However, do we know how our drongos and mynas are doing? Are their numbers increasing, or are they struggling to survive? Watching them closely unravels stories about not just their world but also the environment we share with them. Since 2015, birdwatchers across Keralam have been recording wild birds, which culminated in the Kerala Bird Atlas, a comprehensive record of the birds in the State, which was released in 2021. One of the first such atlases in the country, it offers valuable insights into the status and distribution of the State’s birds, particularly the common species which are often poorly monitored.
Bird watchers at Kerala University campus, Karyavattom
