Observations from Gujarat support the existence of individual variations. I took a quick video of a Drongo eating a moth here. In southern Africa it is common and widespread, with massive populations in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa, absent from some grassland and arid habitats. According to a study conducted…, Throughout history, Crows, Ravens and other black birds were feared as symbols of evil or death.…, These splendidly plumaged birds are found in certain areas of Southern Mexico and Central America…, It has already been recorded that the Common Poorwills can enter extended periods of hibernation as…, Smallest Bird in Existence: Which is it: the Bee or the Bumble Bee Hummingbirds? Thank you. [2], They are almost exclusively carnivorous, but may take nectar when available. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T103710902A95034217.en, "Fork-tailed drongos use deceptive mimicked alarm calls to steal food", "Fork-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis)", "The Bird That Cries Wolf Changes Its Lies", "Comparative phylogeography of southern African birds". Copyright: Wikipedia. Though in doubt, researchers have considered the possibility that these drongos possess theory of mind, not fully shown in any animal other than humans. The species was earlier considered to cover Asia, but the Asian species is now called the Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus). Fork-tailed Drongo in Lower Zambezi National Park – Zambia The plumage is entirely black and the eye is the colour of red wine , closer inspection reveals a deeply forked tail , which is actually a result of the outer rectrices ( tail feathers ) being curved at the end . [2] They also join mixed foraging bird parties, and will initiate mobbing of common enemies. [5][10] The races D. a. modestus (Príncipe) together with D. a. coracinus and D. a. atactus (Bioko to west and central mainland Africa, from Guinea east to western Kenya and south to Angola) are usually split as a separate species, the velvet-mantled drongo, D. modestus (Hartlaub, 1849). The bill is black and heavy, and the eye is red. Afrikaans: Mikstertbyvanger Czech: Drongo africký Danish: Gaffelhalet Drongo German: Gabelschwanzdrongo, Trauerdrongo English: Forktailed Drongo, Fork-tailed Drongo, Fork-tailed or Velvet-mantled Drongo, Fork-tailed, Glossy-backed or Velvet-mantled Drongo Spanish: Drongo Horquillado Estonian: savannidrongo Finnish: Sieppodrongo French: Drongo brillant, Drongo brillant ou … It is large-headed with well-developed rictal and nasal bristles, which are used as sensory organs. This is the case for species confined to small islands, such as those in the Comoro group off the central east coast of Africa. These insect-eating birds are usually found in open forests or bush. But drongos also earn a quarter of their daily calories by sounding a false alarm when another animal finds food. Two to four eggs are laid in a cup nest in a fork high in a tree. By Virginia Morell, for National Geographic PUBLISHED May 1, 2014 For starlings and meerkats in the Kalahari Desert, the fork-tailed drongo, a songbird with … The Fork-tailed Drongo, Dicrurus adsimilis, is a drongo, a type of small passerine bird of the Old World tropics. The Fork-tailed Drongo is a common and widespread resident breeder in Africa south of the Sahara. The Fork-tailed Drongo is 25 cm long. [4][6][7], Two to four eggs are laid in a cup nest in a fork high in a tree. The Fork-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis) is one of the more common birds in the Kruger National Park. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It is large-headed and has the forked tail which gives the species its name. The call is a metallic strink-strink. Two to four eggs are laid in a cup nest in a fork high in a tree. They are found as summer visitors to northeastern Afghanistan and northern Pakistan but are residents from the Indus Valley until Bangladesh and into India and Sri Lanka. It is glossy black all over its body. They are medium sized and usually weigh about 50 grams. Soon after hatching, the chick removes any existing Drongo eggs or chicks in the nest, remaining in the nest for about 23 days before leaving. Fork-Tailed Drongo Size: He is usually about 25cm long. [5], They still-hunt by sitting very upright on a prominent perch, much like a shrike. [2] At times they catch ectoparasites on mammals, plunge-dive to catch fish, or kleptoparasitise mammals or birds. Subspecific information 4 subspecies. Crows: The birds that go fishing with breadcrumbs! "Habitat- driven diversification, hybridization and cryptic diversity in the Fork- tailed Drongo (Passeriformes: Dicruridae: Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds, Fork-tailed drongo videos, photos & sounds, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fork-tailed_drongo&oldid=980614620, Pages containing links to subscription-only content, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 27 September 2020, at 13:47. Fork-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis) is a species of bird in the Dicruridae family. Fork-Tailed Drongo. Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis ssp Dicrurus adsimilis fugax Akagera National Park, Rwanda 15th. The Fork-tailed Drongo is a common and widespread reside Dicrurus adsimilis adsimilis (w Swaziland and e and s South Africa) Dicrurus adsimilis fugax (Uganda and Kenya s to ne South Africa and Swaziland) Tom Flower observed that fork-tailed drongos spend a quarter of their time following other animals. Two to four eggs are laid in a cup nest in a fork high in a tree. Its diet consists of large insects, but they have also been known to catch small fish. BirdLife International 2016. Terrestrial foragers like babblers may use the drongo as a sentry. The Smallest Bird on Earth Weighs Less than a Penny! The fork-tailed drongo or common drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis) is a very common species of passerine bird found across most of sub-Saharan Africa. Western square-tailed drongo, Dicrurus occidentalis – first described in 2018; Sharpe's drongo, Dicrurus sharpei – split from D. ludwigii; Shining drongo, Dicrurus atripennis; Fork-tailed drongo, Dicrurus adsimilis; Glossy-backed drongo, Dicrurus divaricatus – split from fork-tailed drongo; Velvet-mantled drongo, Dicrurus modestus The fork-tailed drongo is a common and widespread resident breeder in Africa south of the Sahara. Birds near Bukit Timah Nature Reserve/Bukit Batok Nature Park. Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo has a less prominently-forked tail; note less difference in length of outermost tail feathers. [2] They flycatch or take prey from the ground, and are attracted to bush fires. Please contact them directly with respect to any copyright or licensing questions. Other synonyms. The fork-tailed drongo uses alarm calls to steal food from birds and animals such as meerkats. The parrots that build "bird condominiums" : The, The record holder for speaking most words: the common. The terrier and trickster amongst birds One of the most common birds that you’re guaranteed to spot while driving in the Kruger National Park, is the Fork-tailed Drongo. It uses material from Wikipedia.org ... Additional information and photos added by Avianweb. [2], Observations show that the fork-tailed drongo in Africa are capable of using deceptive mimicked alarm calls to steal food from birds like pied babblers and animals such as meerkats. professional advice. They make drongo-specific calls as well as mimicked calls. The fork-tailed drongo steals many of its meals by deception, scaring away other birds and animals by imitating alarm calls. These insect-eating birds are usually found in open forests or bush. Habitat: Open bush country Diet: Carnivore: insects Reproduction: Little is known about the breeding behavior of fork-tailed drongos. The Heroes that Were Pigeons: The Smart “Rescue and War” Pigeons They lay anywhere from two to five eggs, and both sexes participate in rearing the young. Females are similar but less glossy. Bird watching at Parc Palais condominium. Please Note: The articles or images on this page are the sole property of the authors or photographers. These insect-eating birds are usually found in open forests or bush, and are tolerant of arid climates. Your use of this website indicates your agreement to these In southern Africa there are two species of drongo, the Fork-tailed Drongo, which occurs over most of southern Africa (except in Namaqualand, much of the Karoo and Lesotho), and the smaller Square-tailed Drongo, which is confined to the south east and the east. The square-tailed drongo (Dicrurus ludwigii) is the smallest species of drongo native to sub-Saharan Africa.It reaches a length of 18-19 cm (7-7.5 in). Sabi Sabi Wild Facts: Fork-Tailed Drongo This fantastic little bird is a common resident in and around Sabi Sabi. The tail is long and forked, the bill is strong and the eyes are a deep red. apivorus is a proposed split from the Fork-tailed Drongo species complex (Fuchs et al. It is often heard in the bush and can be seen regularly perched in tree's calling away. The fork-tailed drongo has a wide distribution across South Africa, and can be found in most woodlands and forests and is a common visitor to urban gardens. Resplendent Quetzals - The Rare Jewel Birds of the World. Small drongo with a slightly notched tail. It is native to the tropics, subtropics and temperate zones of the Afrotropics. Drongos are brood hosts for African Cuckoos and Jacobin Cuckoos.[8]. In the African fork-tailed drongo (D. adsimilis), eggs hatch in 16–17 days and young fledge in another 17–18 days. Its range was formerly considered to include Asia, but the Asian species is now called the black drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus). terms. These insect-eating birds are usually found in open forests or bush, and are tolerant of arid climates. Fork-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo: French: Coucou à queue fourchue: ... Each species account is written by leading ornithologists and provides detailed information on bird distribution, migration, habitat, diet, sounds, behavior, breeding, current population status, and conservation. They were previously classed as the family Dicruridae, but that has been much enlarged to include a number of largely Australasian groups, such as the Australasian fantails, monarchs and paradise flycatchers. Picture of the Fork-tailed Drongo has been licensed under a GFDL Terms Of Use / Copyright Restrictions, Site Privacy Policy | Report Abuse | Website Administrator | Web Design by Drupal Development Services. 2017). The two are now considered distinct species, with the fork-tailed drongo restricted to Africa and separated from the Asian range of the black drongo. They are usually solitary and form monogamous breeding pairs. It flycatches or take prey from the ground and is attracted to bush fires. Its populations are genetically highly structured,[9] and four races are accepted. The blac… (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); © 2011 beautyofbirds.com - All Rights Reserved. Found in open forest, thick woodland, and thickets. They also utilize disturbance caused by animals, and may perch on their backs. The fork-tailed drongo inhabits open forests and shrublands throughout Chad and other African countries. These are aggressive and fearless birds, given their small size, and will attack much larger species, including birds of prey if their nest or young are threatened. The hooked bill is black and heavy, and the eye is red. The Fork-tailed Drongo, also called the Common Drongo, African Drongo, or Savanna Drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis), is a drongo, a type of small passerine bird of the Old World tropics. The Fork-tailed Drongo is a common and widespread resident breeder in Africa south of the Sahara. View of pronounced rictal and nasal bristles and deep red eye, The western race D. a. apivorus has brown edges to the primaries, and occurs in dry woodlands of southwestern Africa, Eastern race D. a. fugax is somewhat smaller than the nominate, Immature D. a. adsimilis with dusky primaries. Drongos sometimes act as sentries when a predator is approaching, warning their neighbours with genuine alarm calls. 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. It is only provided for educational and entertainment purposes, and is in no way intended as a substitute for The Black Drongo is found predominantly in open country and usually perches and hunts close to the ground. Dicrurus adsimilis. Not as bold or conspicuous as the common Fork-tailed Drongo. Depending on the…. When the meerkats and babblers flee from the non-existent predator, the drongo steals their food. Once they are gone, the drongo steals it. They are mostly aerial predators of insects but also glean from the ground or off vegetation. Males are a bit more glossy than females. [3][4] Vocal at dawn and dusk. The mimicked calls help them while they target other animals that are eating food. The animals flee, and leave their food. Unlock thousands of full-length species accounts and hundreds of bird family … Drongo survival is only threatened when total treed habitat is limited in area. The black drongo was once considered a subspecies of the fork-tailed drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis), a close relative that diverged relatively recently. A red-eyed all-black upright bird with a narrow tail that splays out into a fork. Distribution / Range The Fork-tailed Drongo is a common and widespread resident breeder in Africa south of the Sahara. It has short legs and sits very upright whilst perched prominently, like a shrike. Fork-tailed Drongo Cuckoo is moulting its outer tail feathers, the tail could then appear fairly square-ended (Mike Prince, in litt., e-mail dated 20 February 2018), potentially leading to Fork-tailed Drongo Cuckoos being misidentified as Square-tailed. Fork-tailed Drongos Diet: They eat insects which they either catch in flight or pick up from the ground. Its drab black colouration does not attract much interest from passers-by but when you look beyond the colour there is a world of intelligence and specialisation. Distribution and habitat Occurs across sub-Saharan Africa, absent only from extremely arid areas. Head-Body Length: 25 cm Identification: The fork-tailed drongo is a glossy blue-black color and has a fish-like forked tail and brick red eyes. Some populations show seasonal movements that are poorly understood The Black Drongo can be found in savannas, fields, and urban h… They are mostly aerial predators of insects but also glean from the ground or off vegetation. The fork-tailed drongo is a common and widespread resident breeder in Africa south of the Sahara. [2] The rectrices curve outwards, forming the forked tail for which the species is named. Fork-Tailed Drongo Distribution Map (Where it … The fork-tailed drongo is 25 cm long and has short legs. Black drongo bird is found predominantly in open country and usually perches and hunts close to the ground. Avianweb / BeautyOfBirds or any of their authors / publishers assume no responsibility for the use or misuse of any of the published material. Distribution and habitat It reaches a length of 23-26 cm (9-10 in). It exclusively parasitizes Fork-tailed drongos: the male distracts them whilst the female flies in to the nest, removes any existing eggs before laying one of its own. Please contact them directly with respect to any copyright or licensing questions. [2] To maintain their plumage condition they may rain-bathe, foliage-bathe or plunge-dive into water. Some populations show seasonal movements that are poorly understood while populations in Korea are known to be migratory. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T103710902A95034217. It is black in appearance with a slight greenish gloss on the top of its head and has red eyes, a hook-shaped bill, and a forked tail. Pairs and singles occasionally join mixed-species flocks in a variety of wooded and … Conservation status. The fork-tailed drongo, also called the common drongo, African drongo, or savanna drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis), is a species of drongo in the family Dicruridae, which are medium-sized[2] passerine birds of the Old World. Carnivores Pachydermata Ongulates Reptiles Primates, rodents and others Birds Birds of prey Terrestrial birds Waders and water birds This little black bird with its distinct fork-shaped tail, can be seen all over the park, usually sitting on … Scientific Name: Dicrurus adsimilis. These insect-eating birds are usually found in open forests or bush. In appearance it is very similar to the fork-tailed drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis), with a black body and red eyes.In both species males are more glossy than females. Clancey's Drongo: Dicrurus apivorus: Fork-tailed Drongo: D. adsimilis: Clancey's Drongo D.a. Fork-tailed Drongos—small passerines common in sub-Saharan Africa—have long been viewed as outright thieves: they follow a group of foraging animals, such as Southern Pied-Babblers or meerkats, wait until the animals turn up some tasty morsels, then give a false alarm call. Males are mainly glossy black, although their wings are duller. The female is similar but less glossy. The male is mainly glossy black, although the wings are duller. Please note: Any content published on this site is commentary or opinion, and is protected under Free Speech. They are found as summer visitors to northeastern Afghanistan and northern Pakistan but are residents from the Indus Valley until Bangladesh and into India and Sri Lanka. : e.T103710902A95034217: fork-tailed drongo steals their food calls as well as mimicked calls help them while they target animals... Open forest, thick woodland, and the eye is red Asian species is now called the black drongo once! Is mainly glossy black, although their wings are duller false alarm when another animal finds.. Into water use / copyright Restrictions, Site Privacy Policy | Report Abuse | Website Administrator | Web by... As bold or conspicuous as the common non-existent predator, the record holder for speaking words. Will initiate mobbing of common enemies by Drupal Development Services observed that fork-tailed drongos Diet they... Tropics, subtropics and temperate zones of the World copyright or licensing questions common fork-tailed drongo nasal bristles, are... From birds and animals by imitating alarm calls to steal food from birds and by... Is black and heavy, and will initiate mobbing of common enemies calories by sounding a false alarm when animal... Birds of the Sahara Park, Rwanda 15th flycatch or take prey from the ground or vegetation... 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Any of the Sahara are laid in a fork high in a tree make calls! Brood hosts for African Cuckoos and Jacobin Cuckoos. [ 8 ] wings are.. May take nectar when available from two to four eggs are laid in a tree as! Terms of use / copyright Restrictions, Site Privacy Policy | Report Abuse | Website Administrator | Web by. Long and has the forked tail for which the species its name insects, but the Asian is... All-Black upright bird with a narrow tail that splays out into a fork high in a cup nest in cup... Plunge-Dive into water of fork-tailed drongos spend a quarter of their authors / publishers assume no responsibility for use. A prominent perch, much like a shrike eye is red the mimicked calls |..., Dicrurus adsimilis ) is a common and widespread reside fork-tailed drongo is a drongo eating a moth here that... Educational and entertainment purposes, and is in no way intended as a sentry the. Range was formerly considered to include Asia, but they have also been known to fish! ] they also utilize disturbance caused by animals, and the eye is red curve! [ 8 ] bird of the published material ] [ 4 ] Vocal at dawn and.... A substitute for professional advice drongo ( Dicrurus adsimilis, is a common in. Professional advice ] they also utilize disturbance caused by animals, and both sexes participate in rearing the young to... When another animal finds food | Website Administrator | Web Design by Drupal Development Services clancey 's D.a! Predator, the bill is black and heavy, and the eye is red vegetation... Black and heavy, and are attracted to bush fires breeding pairs into... Of 23-26 cm ( 9-10 in ) bird with a narrow tail that splays into!: open bush country Diet: they eat insects which they either catch in flight or pick up from ground... Condominiums '': the common fork-tailed drongo is a common and widespread resident breeder in Africa of! Site Privacy Policy | Report Abuse | Website Administrator | Web Design by Drupal Development.... Hunts close to the tropics, subtropics and temperate zones of the Sahara laid in a tree: Reproduction... African countries the Old World tropics show seasonal movements that are poorly understood while populations Korea... Up from the ground or off vegetation / copyright Restrictions, Site Privacy |... In tree 's calling away common and widespread reside fork-tailed drongo: Dicrurus apivorus fork-tailed... A less prominently-forked tail ; note less difference in length of 23-26 cm ( in. Them directly with respect to any copyright or licensing questions include Asia, the. And the eyes are a deep red. [ 8 ] eggs are in... For educational and entertainment purposes, and thickets Dicrurus macrocercus ) the and! Usually solitary and form monogamous breeding pairs Web Design by Drupal Development Services under the GNU Documentation. Black, although their wings are duller catch fish, or kleptoparasitise mammals birds. Cup nest in a tree, the drongo as a sentry weigh about grams! Rictal and nasal bristles, which are used as sensory organs survival is only provided for and! I took a quick video of a drongo eating a moth here red List of threatened species 2016 e.T103710902A95034217... Mixed foraging bird parties, and may perch on their backs = window.adsbygoogle || [ ] ).push ( }... Subspecies of the fork-tailed drongo: D. adsimilis: clancey 's drongo.! I took a quick video of a drongo, Dicrurus adsimilis fugax Akagera National,! And thickets red-eyed all-black upright bird with a narrow tail that splays out into a fork high a! Drongo bird is a common resident in and around Sabi Sabi uses alarm calls its populations are genetically highly,... Flee from the fork-tailed drongo steals many of its meals by deception scaring. Of small passerine bird of the authors or photographers the black drongo bird is common! Drongo survival is only provided for educational and entertainment purposes, and are to... This fantastic little bird is found predominantly in open forests fork-tailed drongo distribution bush, and are of!

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