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Drongo Bird Tricks Meerkats | Africa | BBC Earth

Video vocabulary

fall

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US / fɔ:l /

UK / fɔl /

A1
  • noun
  • Season after summer and before winter; Autumn
  • A drop in amount; decrease
  • Dropping from a standing position to the ground
  • verb
  • To drop in amount; to decrease
  • To come down from a higher position suddenly
  • To go from standing to the ground, by accident

breakfast

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US / ˈbrekfəst /

UK / ˈbrɛkfəst /

A2
  • noun
  • First meal of the day
  • verb
  • To have the first meal of the day

eagle

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US / ˈi:gl /

UK / ˈiɡəl /

B1
  • noun
  • Very large, strong bird that hunts small animals

his

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US / hɪz /

UK / hɪz /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Something belonging to a male person

desert

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US / 'dezət /

UK / ˈdɛzət /

A2
  • noun
  • Bare area of land, often with few plants and water
  • verb
  • To leave a place for ever; abandon
  • To leave when one is needed or expected to stay

drongo

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US / ˈdrɒŋɡəʊ /

UK / ˈdrɑːŋɡoʊ /

A1
  • noun

sun

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US / sʌn /

UK / sʌn /

A1
  • noun
  • Light and heat coming from a large star in the sky
  • Hot shining star the Earth moves around
  • verb
  • To lie in the sunshine and enjoy its warmth

enjoy

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US / ɪnˈdʒɔɪ /

UK / ɛnˈdʒɔɪ /

A1
  • verb
  • To take pleasure in something

trust

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US / trʌst /

UK / trʌst /

A2
  • noun
  • Wealth or property held by one person for another
  • The belief that someone is honest
  • Care or responsibility of a person
  • verb
  • To expect confidently
  • To have confidence or faith
  • To be confident someone is honest and reliable
  • To believe someone to be honest and reliable

have

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US / həv /

UK / hæv /

A1
  • verb
  • To drink, smoke, eat or use something
  • To experience the effects of something
  • To organize an event, or join in an activity
  • To own, possess, or hold something
  • To cause to happen or produce a particular effect

juicy

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US / 'dʒu:sɪ /

UK / ˈdʒusi /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • (Of a fruit) full of juice

see

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US / si: /

UK / si /

A1
  • verb
  • To go on a date with someone
  • To predict whether something is, or will be true
  • To understand what someone says
  • To use your eyes to look at something
  • To visit a place often for sightseeing or pleasure
  • To visit or meet with someone
  • To find out by waiting or looking
  • To watch (a game, movie or TV show)

spot

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US / spɒt /

UK / spɑt /

A2
  • noun
  • A certain place or area
  • A difficult time; awkward situation
  • Place or ranking on a list
  • A small amount of (substance help hard work etc.)
  • Mark caused by a drop of liquid, food, etc.
  • verb
  • To see someone or something by chance

thank

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US / θæŋk /

UK / θæŋk /

A1
  • verb
  • To tell someone you are grateful to them

prize

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US / praɪz /

UK / praɪz /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Being an excellent or valuable example of a thing
  • noun
  • Something won in a contest or given as an award
  • Something valuable that many people would like
  • verb
  • To value greatly and consider it important

their

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US / ðɛː /

UK / ðer /

A1
  • determiner
  • Belonging to them

they

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US / ðeɪ /

UK / ðe /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Two or more people, animals, or things

very

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US / 'verɪ /

UK / ˈvɛri /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning a large degree or amount
  • adverb
  • A lot; much; many
  • Used to stress or emphasize a noun

all

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US / ɔ:l /

UK / ɔl /

A1
  • adverb
  • Completely; totally
  • determiner
  • Being every one of something
  • pronoun
  • 100% of something; the complete amount

who

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US / hu: /

UK / hu /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Which person
  • Used to introduce information about people

warming

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US / ˈwɔːmɪŋ /

UK / ˈwɔːrmɪŋ /

A1
  • verb
  • To become more friendly or to like something
  • To make something hotter

only

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US / ˈəunli /

UK / ˈonli /

A1
  • adverb
  • Just one; just that amount or thing; not more than
  • Not very important or serious
  • Just that type of thing, person
  • Short time ago; not before a certain time
  • conjunction
  • Except; but

lie

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US / laɪ /

UK / lai /

A2
  • noun
  • An untrue statement, when you know it is not true
  • verb
  • To be in a horizontal or flat position
  • To say something that you know is not true

and

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US / ənd /

UK / ənd, ən,ænd /

A1
  • conjunction
  • Used to refer to two or more things
  • Plus; in addition; on top of that
  • Used to introduce an action that follows another

ignore

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US / ɪɡ'nɔ:(r) /

UK / ɪɡˈnɔr, -ˈnor /

A2
  • verb
  • To not listen to, look at, or pay attention to

false

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US / fɔ:ls /

UK / fɔ:ls /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Not real or genuine

over

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US / 'əʊvə(r) /

UK / ˈovɚ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Finished; no longer happening
  • Towards the ground/away from a standing position
  • noun
  • A set of six consecutive balls bowled in cricket
  • other
  • Finished
  • preposition
  • Showing the relation when a thing is above another
  • On or covering something
  • Above or across something
  • More than you need
  • From one side to the other
  • In the direction of; toward

bird

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US / bɜ:d /

UK / bɜ:rd /

A1
  • noun
  • Animal with feathers that uses wings to fly

another

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US / əˈnʌðə(r) /

UK / əˈnʌðɚ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • One more, but not this
  • determiner
  • One more added
  • pronoun
  • One more (thing)

call

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US / kɔ:l /

UK / kɔl /

A1
  • noun
  • A order or request for action
  • The sound an animal makes, often when in danger
  • A correct prediction, e.g. a decision in a game
  • A short visit to a place or person
  • A decision by a referee or umpire in a game
  • verb
  • To make a request or order for action
  • (Animal) to make sounds to warn of danger
  • To announce the date of an election
  • To make a judgment about something
  • To give someone or something a name
  • To guess in advance the result or outcome
  • To visit a place or person for a short time
  • To phone someone
  • To speak, announce or shout in a loud voice

trick

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US / trɪk /

UK / trɪk /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Not reliable; likely to deceive you
  • noun
  • Act of trying to fool someone
  • Quick or skillful way of doing something
  • Something done to make someone laugh
  • verb
  • To fool someone in order to obtain a result
  • To playfully tease or fool to make someone laugh

but

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US / bət /

UK / bʌt,bət /

A1
  • conjunction
  • Used before you say something different, opposite

gratefully

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US / 'ɡreɪtfəlɪ /

UK / ˈɡretfəlɪ /

B1
  • adverb
  • In a manner that shows you are thankful

meerkat

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US / ˈmɪəkæt /

UK / ˈmɪrkæt /

A1
  • noun
  • Mongoose-like animal like a lemur

now

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US / naʊ /

UK / naʊ /

A1
  • adverb
  • At the present time or moment
  • Right away or in the next possible moment
  • Used to refer to something that just happened
  • Time between the present and a moment in the past
  • conjunction
  • Resulting from or because of something

same

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US / seɪm /

UK / sem /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being equal in quality and amount
  • Identical; not different
  • Not changing; constant

can

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US / kæn /

UK / kən,kæn /

A1
  • noun
  • A metal container for storing food
  • other
  • Able to; have the skill to; have the time to
  • verb
  • To have permission to
  • To be possible to do
  • To preserve food by sealing it in a metal container

not

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US / nɒt /

UK / nɑt /

A1
  • adverb
  • Word indicating the negative
  • (Used to form the negative of verbs)

safety

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US / ˈseɪfti /

UK / ˈsefti /

A1
  • noun
  • Device on a gun to prevent accidental shooting
  • State of being free from harm or danger

trickster

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US / ˈtrɪkstə(r) /

UK / ˈtrɪkstɚ /

C1
  • noun
  • Dishonest person who tries to trick you
  • Someone who plays practical jokes on others

great

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US / ɡreɪt /

UK / ɡret /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Very large in size
  • Very important
  • Very good; fantastic; wonderful
  • adverb
  • Very good; better than before
  • noun
  • Successful and well-admired person

suddenly

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US / ˈsʌdənli /

UK / ˈsʌdn:lɪ /

A1
  • adverb
  • In an unexpected or very quick manner

outsmart

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US / ˌaʊtˈsmɑːt /

UK / ˌaʊtˈsmɑːrt /

C1
  • verb
  • Defeat or get the better of (someone) by being clever or cunning

own

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US / əʊn /

UK / on /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Belong to oneself
  • determiner
  • Yours, his, hers, etc.; not belonging to another
  • pronoun
  • (Something) belong to myself
  • verb
  • To have something as your property

again

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US / ə'ɡen /

UK / əˈɡɛn /

A1
  • adverb
  • One more time, once more

gang

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US / ɡæŋ /

UK / ɡæŋ /

B1
  • noun
  • Group that you disapprove of, e.g. criminals
  • verb
  • To gather together to do something (often illegal)

that

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US / ðæt /

UK / ðæt, ðət /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • The person or thing being talked about
  • Used to identify something both the speakers know
  • adverb
  • Used to reinforce adjectives and adverbs
  • To such a degree
  • conjunction
  • Used to connect a noun clause
  • Used to introduce an adverbial clause
  • Used to introduce a noun clause
  • determiner
  • Used as a noun to refer to something
  • pronoun
  • Referring an object far away
  • Used to refer to the relative pronoun ‘which’

first

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US / fɜ:st /

UK / fɚst /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • 1st; Coming before all others in time or place
  • noun
  • Something that has not happened before
  • Position of the winner of a competition

win

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US / wɪn /

UK / wɪn /

A1
  • noun
  • Success in beating the other team or competitors
  • Success in a game or contest
  • verb
  • To get something as a prize because of a success
  • To gain something you want because of your efforts
  • To succeed in a game or contest

family

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US / 'fæməlɪ /

UK / ˈfæmli /

A1
  • noun
  • Close group of people or organizations
  • A group of people who are related through blood
  • Group of related plants or animals

must

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US / məst /

UK / mʌst /

A1
  • noun
  • Something that is necessary or required
  • other
  • (Used to state that something ought to be true)
  • Used to say something is required or necessary

search

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US / sɜ:tʃ /

UK / sɜ:rtʃ /

A2
  • noun
  • Examination of person to find something
  • Action to find an answer to a problem
  • Action of trying to find someone or something
  • verb
  • To examine a person's clothing to find something
  • To look for an answer or explanation to a problem
  • To look carefully for someone or something

then

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US / ðen /

UK / ðɛn /

A1
  • adverb
  • A time that is not now
  • Following another thing in time or arrangement
  • Following on reasonably from what was just stated
  • At that time, not now

you

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US / jʊ /

UK / ju /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Person someone is speaking or writing to
  • Person or people in general

the

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US / ðə /

UK / ðə /

A1
  • article
  • Used to refer to something already mentioned
  • Used to show there is only one of something
  • determiner
  • Used to describe all of a family

one

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US / wʌn /

UK / wʌn /

A1
  • pronoun
  • You; we; people in general; someone
  • The thing or person previously referred to
  • adjecitve
  • Used to refer to people generally
  • Being a strong example of (something mentioned)
  • number
  • Number 1

this

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US / ðɪs /

UK / ðɪs /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Used to indicate something already been discussed
  • Used to indicate something happening around now
  • adverb
  • An indication by a physical motion or gesture
  • A specific amount of
  • determiner
  • Person, thing, or idea near you
  • pronoun
  • Person, thing that has already been discussed

scurry

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US / 'skʌrɪ /

UK / ˈskə:ri, ˈskʌri /

C1
  • verb
  • To move quickly and with short steps, as to hide

hunt

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US / hʌnt /

UK / hʌnt /

A2
  • noun
  • A search for animals to kill for food
  • Person's name
  • verb
  • To search for wild animals to kill (for food)
  • To look for very carefully; search for

sentry

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US / ˈsentri /

UK / ˈsɛntri /

C1
  • noun
  • A soldier who stands guard outside a building/camp

victim

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US / ˈvɪktɪm /

UK / ˈvɪktɪm /

B1
  • noun
  • Person/thing affected by an unpleasant event
  • Person/animal killed and offered as a sacrifice
  • Person feeling helpless in times of bad luck
  • Person who is tricked or made to suffer

never

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US / 'nevə(r) /

UK / ˈnɛvɚ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Not ever; not at any time

send

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US / send /

UK / sɛnd /

A1
  • verb
  • To cause to behave or respond in a particular way
  • To cause mail or packages to go to another place
  • To move something quickly in a particular way
  • To give information or greetings to someone

much

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US / mʌtʃ /

UK / mʌtʃ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Very; to a high level or degree
  • adverb
  • A lot; large amount; a high degree of
  • Nearly; basically
  • On many occasions; often
  • noun
  • A large amount; a great quantity

for

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US / fə(r) /

UK / fɔr,fə /

A1
  • preposition
  • Used to show the purpose, or need of something

time

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US / taɪm /

UK / taɪm /

A1
  • noun
  • Speed at which music is played; tempo
  • Point as shown on a clock, e.g. 3 p.m
  • Number of hours, minutes needed to do something
  • Occasion when something happens
  • Period or occasion that something occurred
  • Period in history or the past
  • Something measured in minutes, hours, days, etc.
  • How long an event takes; duration
  • verb
  • To check speed at which music is performed
  • To choose a specific moment to do something
  • To measure how long an event takes, e.g. a race
  • To schedule something to occur at a specific moment

begin

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US / bɪ'ɡɪn /

UK / ˈbeɡɪn /

A1
  • verb
  • To do the first part of an action; to start

danger

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US / ˈdeɪndʒə(r) /

UK / ˈdendʒɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • The possibility of getting hurt, damaged, killed

sound

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US / saʊnd /

UK / saʊnd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Sensible, dependable and reliable
  • Unbroken or undisturbed, as of sleep
  • Firm or solid in structure
  • Sane; not mentally ill
  • Clearly reasoned; involving sense, good judgment
  • noun
  • Unique quality that characterizes a style of music
  • Waves traveling in air or water that can be heard
  • verb
  • To seem or appear to be, from what was said
  • To say in a clear deliberate manner
  • To make a noise, e.g. to ring a bell

specialist

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US / 'speʃəlɪst /

UK / ˈspɛʃəlɪst /

B1
  • noun
  • Person who works in one specific area or field

alarm

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US / əˈlɑ:m /

UK / əˈlɑ:rm /

A2
  • noun
  • Sound or light used for a warning or alert
  • an alarm clock

once

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US / wʌns /

UK / wʌns /

A1
  • adverb
  • One time; one instance
  • At a time in the past
  • conjunction
  • When; as soon as

too

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US / tu: /

UK / tu /

A1
  • adverb
  • In addition, also; with emphasis
  • Say that something is more than you want

mimic

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US / 'mɪmɪk /

UK / ˈmɪmɪk /

B2
  • noun
  • Someone who tries to act like another person
  • verb
  • To copy a person's words/actions to amuse people
  • To look or act like something else

stupid

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US / ˈstju:pɪd /

UK / ˈstu:pɪd /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Not intelligent; lacking ability to learn easily

try

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US / traɪ /

UK / traɪ /

A1
  • noun
  • Act of putting the ball over the rugby goal line
  • verb
  • To make an effort, to attempt to do something
  • To examine someone or something in a court of law
  • To test to see if it is good or you like it
  • To make a person go through hardship; test
  • To examine something to see if it works

after

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US / 'ɑ:ftə(r) /

UK / ˈæftɚ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Later than another time, or behind something
  • conjunction
  • Following something before
  • preposition
  • When an event happened or time has passed

guess

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US / ɡes /

UK / ɡɛs /

A1
  • noun
  • Answer given when you don't know if it is correct
  • verb
  • To give an answer without knowing if it is correct

warn

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US / wɔ:n /

UK / wɔrn /

A2
  • verb
  • To tell someone about possible danger

will

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US / wɪl /

UK / wɪl /

A1
  • noun
  • Desire or choice of someone
  • Document saying who gets your money when you die
  • Strong desire to do something; determination
  • Desire to do something; strong wish to do
  • other
  • Used with verbs to express the future
  • verb
  • To leave property to someone after your death
  • To use mental effort to make something happen
  • Am (is, are) likely to do
  • To influence someone to do something
  • To make something happen by strongly wanting it
  • Introduction to Video Content
  • The Kalahari Desert is home to a unique relationship between two species - the drongo bird and the meerkats. In this vast desert landscape, the drongo has established itself as the ultimate trickster, taking advantage of the meerkats' trusting nature to manipulate them. These fascinating desert specialists begin their day by basking in the warm morning sun, preparing themselves for the hunt. Little do they know that the drongo is watching, waiting for the perfect moment to unleash his tricks. The drongo's strategy involves earning the trust of the meerkats. He starts by alerting them to a potential danger - an eagle on the hunt. The meerkats heed his warning and quickly scurry to safety, grateful for the drongo's apparent concern for their safety. This initial encounter establishes the trust needed for the drongo to proceed with his deceitful plan.Now that the meerkats see the drongo as a reliable source of information, he takes advantage of their trust. He sounds another warning, but this time it's a false alarm. The meerkats, still trusting the drongo, fall for it hook, line, and sinker. They react hastily and cautiously, only to realize that they have been deceived. The drongo, amused by their gullibility, revels in his successful trickery.Undeterred by the meerkats' newfound suspicion, the drongo attempts the same trick again. However, the meerkats have learned their lesson and are not so easily fooled. They refuse to fall for the same trick twice, leaving the drongo empty-handed. It seems that the meerkats have outsmarted the drongo.But the drongo is not one to give up easily. He observes the meerkats' behavior and notices the significance of their sentry's warning call. The meerkats rely on the sentry to alert them of any impending danger, and they trust this warning implicitly. The clever drongo seizes the opportunity to mimic this call, fooling the meerkats into thinking there is imminent danger. As the meerkats scatter in a state of panic, the drongo swoops in and claims his prize - a juicy scorpion that was initially intended for the meerkats' breakfast.In this curious relationship between predator and prey, the drongo bird emerges as the ultimate trickster. His ability to manipulate the meerkats through mimicry and deception is truly remarkable. This ingenious strategy allows the drongo to outsmart the meerkats, proving that intelligence can be found in the most unexpected places. As the drongo revels in his victory, a gang of meerkats grudgingly admires the prowess of their unexpected adversary - a bird with a penchant for mischief.
  • Subtitles section
  • The drongo is the Kalahari's greatest trickster, And these are his victims.
  • A family of meerkats, desert specialists.
  • After warming up in the morning sun, the meerkats begin their search for breakfast.
  • The drongo can now begin his tricks.
  • But he must first win the confidence of his victims.
  • He spots an eagle on the hunt and sounds a warning.
  • One that sends the meerkats gratefully scurrying to safety.
  • Danger Over.
  • And now he has their trust.
  • He sounds another warning.
  • But this time it's a false alarm.
  • Thank You very much.
  • The Meerkats fell for it.
  • This all seems too easy.
  • He tries the same trick again.
  • But The meerkats aren't stupid.
  • They'll only fall for it once.
  • The juicy scorpion won't be for him.
  • Then, suddenly, the sound of a sentry's warning.
  • No meerkat can ignore that.
  • Sentries never lie.
  • But the sentry sees no danger.
  • Guess who?
  • The meerkat.
  • Of course, it's the drongo.
  • He's learned to mimic the meerkat's own warning call.
  • And now he can enjoy his prize.
  • A gang of meerkats, outsmarted by a bird.