The drongo is a master of deception that steals food using fake alarm calls.

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: These small, aggressive birds are not just skilled hunters; they are sophisticated con artists. By mimicking the alarm calls of other species, drongos trick animals into abandoning their meals. This deceptive behavior is so complex that researchers have even questioned whether these birds possess a human-like theory of mind.

The drongo, a member of the Dicruridae family, is a passerine bird native to the Old World tropics. Comprising 28 species within the single genus Dicrurus, these birds are typically dark-colored with distinctive forked tails. While they are primarily insectivorous, they are famously fearless, often attacking much larger animals to protect their nests. Their evolutionary history is thought to have begun in the Indo-Malayan region, with migrations into Africa occurring approximately 15 million years ago and later expansions into Australasia around 6 million years ago.

The most striking aspect of drongo behavior is their tactical use of mimicry. In the Kalahari Desert, fork-tailed drongos frequently emit false alarm calls to scare other animals away from their food. This strategy is highly effective, allowing the birds to secure up to 23% of their daily intake through theft. If a victim becomes habituated to a specific call, the drongo simply switches to one of the 51 different calls it can imitate. This adaptability suggests a high level of cognitive flexibility, leading scientists to investigate whether these birds possess a theory of mind, a trait previously considered unique to humans.

Beyond their biological reputation, the name 'drongo' carries a different weight in Australian culture. In the 1920s, a racehorse named Drongo—likely named after the spangled drongo—gained notoriety for never winning a race. Consequently, the term entered the Australian lexicon as a mild insult for someone perceived as foolish or incompetent. This linguistic evolution stands in stark contrast to the bird's actual behavior, which demonstrates a level of strategic intelligence that is anything but foolish.

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