Rose ringed parakeets are one of the widespread birds in the Indian sub-continent. They are adapted to live in the cities and other urban areas. They are popular pets all over India with an ability to mimic human speeches. They are sexually dimorphic with adult males having black neck ring and a pink nape band. The wild flocks will travel long distance search food and cause extensive damage to farmlands and orchards. Its vernacular name is Mothiravalayan Thaththa.

Plum headed parakeet is endemic in the Indian sub-continent.It is mostly green in color with the males having red heads with purple blue shades on the napes. A pale black neck collar and black chin strip is another prominent feature. Females have grayish blue head without the neck collar and chin strip. Its local name is Poomthaththa. Albeit not a good talker like Rose ringed parakeet it can be trained to mimic beeps and whistles.

Black Drongo is a member of the Dicruridae family found through out India. It can be seen on open agricultural areas and light forests preying on small insects close to the ground. In Kerala they are called Aanaranchi. Its a small flossy black bird with a wide fork to the tail. Juveniles are Brownish with white underbelly. They are aggressive birds and never show fear in attacking big birds like Crows and even Birds of Prey,those entered their nesting territory. This particular characteristics of Black Drongo make other small birds to nest along them.

Racket tailed drongo is the largest member of the Dicuridae family. They can be easily distinguished from other Drongos by its their tails that have distinctive rackets and crest of curled feathers on the forehead. They often make loud calls “Tunk tunk tunk…”. They are known to imitate the calls of Birds of Prey, during mixed species foraging to create panic among small birds and steal prey from them. They are found through out the Indian Sub-Continent.

The main physical feature distinguishingthe White Bellied Drongo from Black drongo’s and Ashy drongos are theirwhite belly and vent.The fork of the tail is less deep and are smaller than Black drongo. Juveniles are black. They are known for imitating the sounds of squirrels and cats while mobbing other birds. They are often seen singly. Though their main diet includes insects , they are opportunistic hunters and known to have prey upon small birds. Its local name is Kakka Rajan.

Bronzed Drongo is the smallest member of the Dicruridae family found in Kerala. The salient feature of this small bird is its glossy appearance. They have more metallic gloss with a sequined appearance on the head , neck and breast. They are black birds with green and blue undertones. Its vernacular name is Lalita Kakka. Like other Drongos they can also make a variety of beautiful calls and are known to imitate other birds.

Hair Crested Drongos are akin to Spangled Drongos(Dicrurus bracteatus) and both are known as “Spangled Drongo” But, Hair crested drongos are Asian and Spangled drongos are Australian. Their main features include long tails with upward twisted corners and hair-like crests. They move in small flocks and are good mimics. Its locally called Kinnari kakka.

Ashy Drongo’s are migratory birds which are seen in Kerala from September to April .They are similar to the Black Drongo although they are dark grey in colour and are slimmer and longer than the latter. It usually prefers forested hill tracts. They travel long distances during migration. They can imitate the sounds of other birds especially that of Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia ). Their feeding habits are similar to that of Black Drongo. In kerala they are called Kakka Thampuran.