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| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:TZP FTDrongo SER7662.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Adult showing red eye, subspecies ''D. a. fugax''<br />Photo © by {{user|mikemik|mikemik}}<br /> Serengeti, [[Tanzania]] , 13 May 2018]] |
'''Alternative name: African Drongo''' | '''Alternative name: African Drongo''' | ||
;[[: Category:Dicrurus|Dicrurus]] adsimilis | ;[[: Category:Dicrurus|Dicrurus]] adsimilis | ||
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
*Short legs | *Short legs | ||
'''Female''' similar but duller | '''Female''' similar but duller | ||
| + | ====Variations==== | ||
| + | Formerly the population in Tanzania and much of Kenya were assigned to the nominate race, ''D. a. adsimilis'' now placed within the range of ''D. a. fugax''. It is described as smaller with a more deeply forked tail. | ||
====Similar species==== | ====Similar species==== | ||
Differs from similar [[Velvet-mantled Drongo]] in having tail shorter than wing, a less deep tail fork, slightly less gloss and no pale rictal spot. [[Square-tailed Drongo]] and [[Shining Drongo]] are smaller and have a less forked tail. | Differs from similar [[Velvet-mantled Drongo]] in having tail shorter than wing, a less deep tail fork, slightly less gloss and no pale rictal spot. [[Square-tailed Drongo]] and [[Shining Drongo]] are smaller and have a less forked tail. | ||
| − | |||
== Distribution == | == Distribution == | ||
| − | The Fork-tailed Drongo is a common and widespread resident breeder in [[Africa]] south of the Sahara | + | The Fork-tailed Drongo is a common and widespread resident breeder in [[Africa]] south of the Sahara, being most common in [[Botswana]], [[Zimbabwe]] and the northern parts of [[South Africa]] and [[Mozambique]]. |
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | Forms a [[Dictionary_P-S#S|superspecies]] with [[Black Drongo]] and | + | [[Image:2007 08 21 F-t Drongo.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Immature, nominate subspecies<br />Photo © by {{user|Alan+Manson|Alan Manson}}<br />Cedara Farm, Pietermaritzburg, [[South Africa]], 21 August 2007]] |
| + | Forms a [[Dictionary_P-S#S|superspecies]] with [[Black Drongo]] of Asia and was formerly regarded as [[Dictionary_A-C#C|conspecific]]. They were split in 2007 by Pasquet et al.<sup>[[#References|[5]]]</sup>The combined pre-split species was known as "Common Drongo" or just "Drongo." Former subspecies ''D. a. divaricatus'' now recognized as a separate species, the [[Glossy-backed Drongo]]. | ||
====Subspecies==== | ====Subspecies==== | ||
Four subspecies recognized<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>: | Four subspecies recognized<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>: | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
* ''D. a. apivorus'': | * ''D. a. apivorus'': | ||
| − | :* | + | :*Southeast [[Gabon]] and adjacent [[Congo]], patchily in [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], [[Angola]], [[Zambia]], [[Namibia]], [[Botswana]] and northern [[South Africa]] (northern Northern Cape to Limpopo) |
| + | * ''D. a. jubaensis'': (formerly considered a junior synonym of ''D. a. divaricatus'') | ||
| + | :*Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia | ||
* ''D. a. fugax'': | * ''D. a. fugax'': | ||
| − | :*[[Uganda]] | + | :*Southern [[Uganda]] and [[Kenya]] to northern [[Natal]] and [[Zimbabwe]] |
* ''D. a. adsimilis'': | * ''D. a. adsimilis'': | ||
| − | :* | + | :*Eastern and southern [[South Africa]] (southwestern Western Cape north to southern Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal), [[Lesotho]], and western [[Swaziland]] |
| + | Former subspecies ''D. a. divaricatus'' now recognized as a separate species [[Glossy-backed Drongo]].<sup>[[#References|[6]]]</sup> | ||
| + | |||
== Habitat == | == Habitat == | ||
| − | [[Image:SG103047.JPG|thumb| | + | [[Image:SG103047.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Hovering waiting for insects to be kicked up by the baby giraffe<br />Photo © by {{user|AHH|AHH}}<br />[[Kruger National Park]], [[South Africa]], 9 July 2007]] |
Woodlands including riverine woodlands, moist and arid savanna, forest edges and grassland or fynbos with available perches, plantations of alien trees, gardens, farmyards and town parks. | Woodlands including riverine woodlands, moist and arid savanna, forest edges and grassland or fynbos with available perches, plantations of alien trees, gardens, farmyards and town parks. | ||
== Behaviour == | == Behaviour == | ||
| Line 36: | Line 40: | ||
Sits very upright whilst perched prominently, like a shrike. An aggressive bird, which will attack much larger species, including birds of prey, snakes and humans, if their nest or young are threatened. | Sits very upright whilst perched prominently, like a shrike. An aggressive bird, which will attack much larger species, including birds of prey, snakes and humans, if their nest or young are threatened. | ||
====Diet==== | ====Diet==== | ||
| − | Their prey is taken aerially and on the ground, and includes flying insects, moths and bees; most often they will sit on a branch and sally out from there, but it may also be sitting on the ground. They are often seen taking prey disturbed by large animals or bush fires. They also often steal food from other birds, and have been known to steal food from suricates and [[Southern Pied Babbler]]s by sounding false alarms. | + | Their prey is taken aerially and on the ground, and includes flying insects, moths and bees; most often they will sit on a branch and sally out from there, but it may also be sitting on the ground. They are often seen taking prey disturbed by large animals or bush fires. They also often steal food from other birds, and have been known to steal food from suricates (Meerkats) and [[Southern Pied Babbler]]s by sounding false alarms. |
| + | |||
====Breeding==== | ====Breeding==== | ||
[[Dictionary_M-O#M|Monogamous]], solitary nester building thin-walled, strongly woven cup nests in high tree-forks. Two to five eggs of highly varying colour. | [[Dictionary_M-O#M|Monogamous]], solitary nester building thin-walled, strongly woven cup nests in high tree-forks. Two to five eggs of highly varying colour. | ||
| Line 43: | Line 48: | ||
====Movements==== | ====Movements==== | ||
Resident; possibly some short-distance movements in southern part of range. | Resident; possibly some short-distance movements in southern part of range. | ||
| − | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
#{{Ref-Clements6thAug19}}#{{Ref-HBWVol14}}#Birdforum member observations | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug19}}#{{Ref-HBWVol14}}#Birdforum member observations | ||
#Rocamora, G. and D. Yeatman-Berthelot (2020). Fork-tailed Drongo (''Dicrurus adsimilis''), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (S. M. Billerman, B. K. Keeney, P. G. Rodewald, and T. S. Schulenberg, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.fotdro5.01 | #Rocamora, G. and D. Yeatman-Berthelot (2020). Fork-tailed Drongo (''Dicrurus adsimilis''), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (S. M. Billerman, B. K. Keeney, P. G. Rodewald, and T. S. Schulenberg, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.fotdro5.01 | ||
| + | #Pasquet, Eric; Jean-Marc Pons;Jerome Fuchs; Corinne Cruaud & Vincent Bretagnolle (2007). "Evolutionary history and biogeography of the drongos (Dicruridae), a tropical Old World clade of corvoid passerines." Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 45 (1): 158–167. [http://www.cebc.cnrs.fr/publipdf/2007/PMPE45.pdf PDF] | ||
| + | #Fuchs, J, De Swardt, DH, Oatley, G, Fjeldså, J, Bowie, RCK. (2018) Habitat‐driven diversification, hybridization and cryptic diversity in the Fork‐tailed Drongo (Passeriformes: Dicruridae: ''Dicrurus adsimilis''). Zool Scr. 47:266– 284. https://doi.org/10.1111/zsc.12274 | ||
{{ref}} | {{ref}} | ||
Revision as of 03:18, 1 April 2020
Alternative name: African Drongo
- Dicrurus adsimilis
Identification
23–26 cm (9-10 in)
- Glossy black overall plumage
- Wings duller
- Large head
- Forked tail
- Heavy black bill
- Red eye
- Short legs
Female similar but duller
Variations
Formerly the population in Tanzania and much of Kenya were assigned to the nominate race, D. a. adsimilis now placed within the range of D. a. fugax. It is described as smaller with a more deeply forked tail.
Similar species
Differs from similar Velvet-mantled Drongo in having tail shorter than wing, a less deep tail fork, slightly less gloss and no pale rictal spot. Square-tailed Drongo and Shining Drongo are smaller and have a less forked tail.
Distribution
The Fork-tailed Drongo is a common and widespread resident breeder in Africa south of the Sahara, being most common in Botswana, Zimbabwe and the northern parts of South Africa and Mozambique.
Taxonomy
Immature, nominate subspecies
Photo © by Alan Manson
Cedara Farm, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, 21 August 2007
Photo © by Alan Manson
Cedara Farm, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, 21 August 2007
Forms a superspecies with Black Drongo of Asia and was formerly regarded as conspecific. They were split in 2007 by Pasquet et al.[5]The combined pre-split species was known as "Common Drongo" or just "Drongo." Former subspecies D. a. divaricatus now recognized as a separate species, the Glossy-backed Drongo.
Subspecies
Four subspecies recognized[1]:
- D. a. apivorus:
- Southeast Gabon and adjacent Congo, patchily in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana and northern South Africa (northern Northern Cape to Limpopo)
- D. a. jubaensis: (formerly considered a junior synonym of D. a. divaricatus)
- Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia
- D. a. fugax:
- D. a. adsimilis:
- Eastern and southern South Africa (southwestern Western Cape north to southern Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal), Lesotho, and western Swaziland
Former subspecies D. a. divaricatus now recognized as a separate species Glossy-backed Drongo.[6]
Habitat
Hovering waiting for insects to be kicked up by the baby giraffe
Photo © by AHH
Kruger National Park, South Africa, 9 July 2007
Photo © by AHH
Kruger National Park, South Africa, 9 July 2007
Woodlands including riverine woodlands, moist and arid savanna, forest edges and grassland or fynbos with available perches, plantations of alien trees, gardens, farmyards and town parks.
Behaviour
Actions
Sits very upright whilst perched prominently, like a shrike. An aggressive bird, which will attack much larger species, including birds of prey, snakes and humans, if their nest or young are threatened.
Diet
Their prey is taken aerially and on the ground, and includes flying insects, moths and bees; most often they will sit on a branch and sally out from there, but it may also be sitting on the ground. They are often seen taking prey disturbed by large animals or bush fires. They also often steal food from other birds, and have been known to steal food from suricates (Meerkats) and Southern Pied Babblers by sounding false alarms.
Breeding
Monogamous, solitary nester building thin-walled, strongly woven cup nests in high tree-forks. Two to five eggs of highly varying colour.
Vocalisation
The call is a metallic strink-strink. They are also excellent mimics.
Movements
Resident; possibly some short-distance movements in southern part of range.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2019. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World: v2019. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507
- Birdforum member observations
- Rocamora, G. and D. Yeatman-Berthelot (2020). Fork-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (S. M. Billerman, B. K. Keeney, P. G. Rodewald, and T. S. Schulenberg, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.fotdro5.01
- Pasquet, Eric; Jean-Marc Pons;Jerome Fuchs; Corinne Cruaud & Vincent Bretagnolle (2007). "Evolutionary history and biogeography of the drongos (Dicruridae), a tropical Old World clade of corvoid passerines." Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 45 (1): 158–167. PDF
- Fuchs, J, De Swardt, DH, Oatley, G, Fjeldså, J, Bowie, RCK. (2018) Habitat‐driven diversification, hybridization and cryptic diversity in the Fork‐tailed Drongo (Passeriformes: Dicruridae: Dicrurus adsimilis). Zool Scr. 47:266– 284. https://doi.org/10.1111/zsc.12274
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Fork-tailed Drongo. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 16 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Fork-tailed_Drongo
External Links
