Fork-tailed Drongo
Dicrurus adsimilis
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
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Fork-tailed Drongo demonstrates remarkable aerial agility, particularly whilst catching insects on the wing. Their deeply forked tail enables precise manoeuvrability, and they're known for their impressive acrobatic displays during both hunting and territorial defence.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Whilst not particularly strong for their size, these small birds (40-50g) possess sufficient strength to effectively mob larger birds and engage in aerial pursuits. Their physical capabilities are more focused on agility than raw power.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Highly adaptable birds that thrive across various habitats from sea level to 2,500 metres. Their ability to use mimicry, engage in complex hunting strategies, and exploit different food sources through clever tactics (including food theft) demonstrates exceptional adaptability.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Exceptionally aggressive for their size, Fork-tailed Drongos are renowned for fearlessly mobbing much larger birds and mammals. They vigorously defend their territory and frequently engage in confrontational behaviour, even using deceptive tactics to steal food from other species.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
These birds maintain active territories year-round and engage in energetic aerial displays and hunting. Their ability to perform sustained aerial acrobatics and persistent mobbing behaviour indicates solid endurance, though they typically hunt in short, intense bursts rather than prolonged pursuits.
Diet
Fork-tailed Drongos are primarily insectivorous, feeding on a wide variety of flying insects. They catch prey on the wing or by sallying from a perch.
These birds are also known to follow larger animals, catching insects disturbed by their movement.
Behaviour
Fork-tailed Drongos are known for their aggressive behaviour and fearless nature. They often mob larger birds and even mammals to protect their territory.
These birds are also skilled aerial acrobats, catching insects on the wing with impressive agility.
Vocalisation
Fork-tailed Drongos are excellent vocal mimics with a wide repertoire of calls. Their natural voice includes harsh, scolding notes and melodious whistles.
They often imitate the alarm calls of other birds, which they use to scare away competitors from food sources. The typical call is a sharp 'kek-kek' or 'skeer-skeer'.
Nesting & Breeding
Fork-tailed Drongos form monogamous pairs and breed during the wet season, which varies across their range. They engage in aerial displays and vocalisations during courtship.
The nest is a shallow, cup-shaped structure made of twigs and spider webs, typically placed in the fork of a tree branch. Females lay 2-4 eggs, which are pale cream or pinkish with reddish-brown spots.
Both parents incubate the eggs for about 16-17 days. The chicks fledge after approximately 16-20 days but remain dependent on the parents for several weeks after leaving the nest.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
The Fork-tailed Drongo is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN due to its large range and stable population. However, like many birds, it faces threats from habitat loss in some areas.
Conservation efforts focus on preserving its woodland and savannah habitats.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for their distinctive forked tail in flight
- Listen for their varied calls, including mimicry of other birds
- Watch for their habit of perching prominently on exposed branches
- Observe their aggressive behaviour towards larger birds
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Predators
Main predators include larger birds of prey, such as eagles and hawks, as well as some mammals like genets and monkeys that may raid nests.
Did You Know?
- Fork-tailed Drongos are known as 'highway robbers' due to their habit of stealing food from other birds.
- They use mimicry not only for defence but also to deceive other animals and steal their food.
- These birds have been observed acting as sentinels for mixed-species feeding flocks.
References
- 2 4
other: Oldest recorded trapped bird was 7 years, so thought to live longer
- 1 3
website: BirdLife International. 2024. Dicrurus adsimilis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2024: e.T103710902A263855757.
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