- Dicrurus adsimilis
Identification
The male is mainly glossy black, although the wings are duller. It is large-headed and has the forked tail which gives the species its name. The female is similar but less glossy. The bill is black and heavy, and the eye is red. The Fork-tailed Drongo is 25 cm long and 45 g heavy. It has short legs and sits very upright whilst perched prominently, like a shrike.
Distribution
The Fork-tailed Drongo is a common and widespread resident breeder in Africa south of the Sahara with being most comon in Botswana, Zimbabwe and the northern parts of South Africa and Mozambique.
Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Dicruridae
Genus: Dicrurus
Species: D. adsimilis
Habitat
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
These are aggressive and fearless birds, given their small size, and will attack much larger species, including birds of prey, snakes and humans, if their nest or young are threatened.
Their prey is taken aerially and on the ground, and includes flying insects, moths and bees. They are sharp opportunists and are often seen taking prey disturbed by bush fires and large animals. They also often steal food from other birds, and have been known to steal food from suricates 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.
Bird Call
The call is a metallic strink-strink. They are also excellent mimics.
