The fork-tailed drongo, also called the common drongo or African drongo, is a small bird found from the Sahel to South Africa that lives in wooded habitats, particularly woodlands and savannas. It is part of the family Dicruridae and has four recognized subspecies, D. a adsimilis, D. a. apivorus, D. a. fugax and D. a. jubaensis. Like other drongos, the fork-tailed is mostly insectivorous; its diet mainly consists of butterflies, termites, and grasshoppers.
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs widely from the Sahel to South Africa in open woodlands, savannas, forest edges, thornveld, and gardens. It prefers scattered trees or bush with open ground for aerial sallies. Avoids dense closed-canopy rainforest and the most arid deserts, but uses riparian strips and human-altered habitats. Often associates with grazing mammals and hunts around grassfires where insects are flushed.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Fork-tailed drongos are bold birds famous for their remarkable vocal mimicry, which they use to deceive other animals and steal food. They often give false alarm calls to flush prey or to make species like starlings and meerkats drop their meals. They also aggressively mob larger predators and are common companions of mixed-species foraging parties. The deeply forked tail and glossy black sheen make them easy to recognize.
Foraging for insects
At nest with chick
Temperament
bold and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with frequent sallies from a perch
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs holding territories; forms loose associations with mixed-species flocks while foraging. Monogamous breeders that build a small cup nest high in a tree. Both sexes defend the nest vigorously, often mobbing much larger birds.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A varied repertoire of whistles, chattering notes, and harsh 'chack' calls. An excellent mimic, it imitates other birds’ and mammals’ alarm calls and incorporates them into its song.
