VIDEO Drongo Bird Tricks Meerkats | Africa | BBC Earth

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Drongo Bird Tricks Meerkats | Africa | BBC Earth In this fascinating segment from BBC Earth's "Africa," we delve into the cunning antics of the Drongo bird, renowned as the Kalahari's greatest trickster. The video showcases an intriguing interaction between the Drongo and a family of meerkats who become victims of the bird's deceptive tactics. The scene begins with the meerkats basking in the morning sun, ready to embark on their morning hunt. Meanwhile, the Drongo, eager to enact its pranks, looks for an opportunity to gain the trust of these clever mammals. It starts by mimicking a warning call about an approaching eagle, prompting the meerkats to retreat to safety. This act earns the Drongo their trust, setting the stage for its true intentions. Once the Drongo has ingratiated itself with the meerkats, it cunningly issues another warning, but this time it’s a false alarm. The unsuspecting meerkats, grateful for the initial warning, respond yet again, allowing the Drongo to swoop in and snatch a delicious prize for itself. The Drongo tries this tactic a second time, but the meerkats prove to be more cautious, only falling for its trick once. The birds’ clever mimicry plays a pivotal role as it even learns to imitate a meerkat's sentry call, which is a signal of danger. This remarkable ability allows the Drongo to exploit the meerkats' instinctive responses, showcasing incredible adaptability and intelligence. The video illustrates how one bird can manipulate the behavior of a social group of mammals, revealing the often hidden complexities of predator-prey relationships.

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