17th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Tussle between a black drongo and a common hoopoe

This image was taken last year on a sunny afternoon in mid-February. In this image, a Black Drongo is seen flying near a Hoopoe which was actually busy finding its food. Black Drongos are very clever and opportunist bird. Having noticed that the Hoopoe digging its food and the Drongo keeping a close eye on it, the frame of a close encounter between the two birds came into my mind. Had to wait for over an hour to capture this image.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 02.2018
Date Uploaded: 11.2019
Photo Location: West Bengal, India
Camera: NIKON D810
Copyright: © Sumanta Basu