Fork-tailed Drongo

Dicrurus adsimilis

Against the backdrop of Africa's diverse landscapes, this bold and resourceful bird has earned a reputation as nature's master trickster, using clever deception to steal food from other animals.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Fork-tailed Drongo is a sleek, all-black bird with a distinctive, deeply forked tail. Its plumage has a glossy, iridescent sheen that can appear blue or green in certain lights. The eyes are bright red, contrasting sharply with the black feathers.

Both males and females look alike, with no significant seasonal changes in plumage. Juveniles are similar but duller, with brownish underparts and a less pronounced tail fork.

Size

Length

23cm to 26cm

Wingspan

35cm to 41cm

Weight

40g to 50g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Black

Secondary Colour

Iridescent

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Fork-tailed Drongo can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Fork-tailed Drongo is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Fork-tailed Drongo is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Fork-tailed Drongo is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Fork-tailed Drongo is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Fork-tailed Drongo is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Fork-tailed Drongo can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Fork-tailed Drongo is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Fork-tailed Drongo is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Fork-tailed Drongo is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Fork-tailed Drongo is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Fork-tailed Drongo can be found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Fork-tailed Drongos are widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south to South Africa. They inhabit a range of open woodland habitats, including savannah, bushveld, and forest edges.

These birds are non-migratory and maintain year-round territories. They are absent from dense forests and arid regions, preferring areas with scattered trees and open ground.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 2,500 meters

Climate zones

Tropical, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Fork-tailed Drongo. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons