Fork-tailed Drongo

The fork-tailed drongo, also known as the common drongo or African drongo, is a member of the Dicruridae family. It is a small bird with a distinctive fork-shaped tail, red-brownish eyes, and an entirely black plumage that exhibits a blue-green iridescence in certain lights. Both sexes are similar in appearance, with the underside of the bird being uniformly black, contrasting with the glossy black-blue upper body.

Identification Tips

When identifying the fork-tailed drongo, look for its robust black beak, red eyes, and the deeply forked black tail. Juveniles can be distinguished by their dark brown tone, less pronounced tail fork, and lack of glossy shine on the lower body. During flight, the darker remiges of the D. a. adsimilis subspecies are particularly noticeable.

Habitat

The fork-tailed drongo inhabits wooded habitats, including woodlands and savannas, and is tolerant of arid climates. It can be found at elevations up to 2200 meters.

Distribution

This species is widespread across Africa south of the Sahara, with four recognized subspecies varying in range and physical characteristics. It was once thought to range into Asia, but the Asian species is now classified as the black drongo (D. macrocercus).

Behaviour

The fork-tailed drongo is known for its aggressive and fearless nature, often attacking larger animals to protect its nest. It is also a skilled kleptoparasite, using deceptive mimicry of other birds' alarm calls to steal food. These birds are solitary hunters and spend a significant portion of their day feeding.

Song & Calls

The vocalizations of the fork-tailed drongo are diverse, including sharp calls, whistles, and squeaks. They are known to mimic the calls of other bird species and even the sounds of other animals, such as cats and meerkats.

Breeding

Breeding seasons vary by region, with the bird nesting close to wetlands, forests, and farms. The female lays one to four eggs, which hatch in 15 to 18 days. The species is monogamous and aggressively defends its nest from various predators.

Similar Species

The fork-tailed drongo can be confused with other drongo species, but its deeply forked tail and specific vocalizations are distinguishing features.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the fork-tailed drongo is primarily insectivorous, including butterflies, termites, and grasshoppers. They also consume small fish, other birds, nectar, and plants when available. They are known to follow large mammals to catch insects disturbed by their movement.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies the fork-tailed drongo as a least-concern species due to its extensive range and stable population. However, it faces threats from pesticide use and habitat destruction.