Dicrurus adsimilis
The Fork-tailed Drongo, *Dicrurus adsimilis*, is a sleek, medium-sized passerine bird renowned for its glossy black plumage and distinctive deeply forked tail. Measuring approximately 23-28 cm (9-11 in) in length and weighing 35-50 g (1.2-1.8 oz), its most striking features are its vibrant red eyes, contrasting sharply with its dark feathers, and the elegant 'V' shape of its tail. Field marks for identification are its entirely black appearance, red iris, and characteristic tail shape, distin...
Found primarily in open woodlands, savannas, and grasslands with scattered trees, the Fork-tailed Drongo also adapts well to cultivation, gardens, and urban parks, typically occurring from sea level up to moderate elevations of around 2,000 meters.
Its diet consists predominantly of large insects, such as grasshoppers, beetles, moths, termites, bees, and wasps, which it captures in flight or on the ground, supplemented occasionally by small vertebrates, nectar, or fruit.
This diurnal bird is highly conspicuous, often perching prominently on branches, wires, or even the backs of large mammals to survey its surroundings before swooping down to catch prey. Known for its sophisticated foraging strategies, it is an adept aerial insectivore, employing a perch-and-sally...
The Fork-tailed Drongo (*Dicrurus adsimilis*) boasts an extensive resident range across Sub-Saharan Africa, stretching from Senegal and Mauritania in the west, eastward through the Sahel region to Eritrea, and southwards throughout nearly all of mainland southern Africa to the Cape. This widespre...
Least Concern
- Often called the 'King of the Veld' for its audacious and fearless nature, bravely confronting much larger birds of prey. - It is a master mimic, capable of imitating up to 50 different species' calls, including alarm calls. - Studies have shown it uses 'tactical deception,' mimicking alarm cal...