Fork-tailed Drongo
A species of Drongos Scientific name : Dicrurus adsimilis Genus : Drongos
Fork-tailed Drongo, A species of Drongos
Botanical name: Dicrurus adsimilis
Genus: Drongos
Content
Description General Info
Description
The fork-tailed drongo is 25 cm long and has short legs. They are medium sized and usually weigh about 50 grams. Males are mainly glossy black, although their wings are duller. Females are similar but less glossy. It is large-headed with well-developed rictal and nasal bristles, which are used as sensory organs. The rectrices curve outwards, forming the forked tail for which the species is named. The hooked bill is black and heavy, and the eye is red. 
Size
26 cm
Colors
Brown
Black
Nest Placement
Tree
Feeding Habits
Fork-tailed Drongo primarily consumes insects, complemented by occasional nectar. They exhibit dynamic foraging techniques, including flycatching, ground prey capture, and exploiting bushfire disturbances for food. Adaptations include riding on mammals to scavenge ectoparasites and kleptoparasitic behaviors toward other vertebrates.
Habitat
Fork-tailed Drongo thrives in diverse sub-Saharan African habitats, preferring open woodlands, savannas, riverine forests, and tree plantations. Adapted to both moist and semi-arid environments, they inhabit edges and clearings within denser forests, as well as acacia and coastal secondary woodlands. These birds also adjust to anthropogenic landscapes, including agriculture, parks, and gardens, at altitudes up to 2200 m, excluding very highland regions.
Dite type
Insectivorous
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Behavior
They still-hunt by sitting very upright on a prominent perch, much like a shrike. They are usually solitary and form monogamous breeding pairs. They are aggressive and fearless, regularly mobbing or attacking much larger species, including birds of prey, if their nest or young are threatened or their territory is compromised. They also join mixed foraging bird parties, and will initiate mobbing of common enemies. To maintain their plumage condition they may rain-bathe, foliage-bathe or plunge-dive into water. Terrestrial foragers like babblers may use the drongo as a sentry.
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Drongos Genus
Drongos Species
Fork-tailed Drongo 
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