25-5-2019 MANA POOLS , ZIMBABWE - KALAHARI FORK TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus adsimilis ssp. apivorus)

The fork-tailed drongo, also known as the common drongo or African drongo, is a member of the Dicruridae family. It is a small bird with a distinctive fork-shaped tail, red-brownish eyes, and an entirely black plumage that exhibits a blue-green iridescence in certain lights. Both sexes are similar in appearance, with the underside of the bird being uniformly black, contrasting with the glossy black-blue upper body.

When identifying the fork-tailed drongo, look for its robust black beak, red eyes, and the deeply forked black tail. Juveniles can be distinguished by their dark brown tone, less pronounced tail fork, and lack of glossy shine on the lower body. During flight, the darker remiges of the D. a. adsimilis subspecies are particularly noticeable.

The fork-tailed drongo inhabits wooded habitats, including woodlands and savannas, and is tolerant of arid climates. It can be found at elevations up to 2200 meters.

This species is widespread across Africa south of the Sahara, with four recognized subspecies varying in range and physical characteristics. It was once thought to range into Asia, but the Asian species is now classified as the black drongo (D. macrocercus).

The fork-tailed drongo is known for its aggressive and fearless nature, often attacking larger animals to protect its nest. It is also a skilled kleptoparasite, using deceptive mimicry of other birds' alarm calls to steal food. These birds are solitary hunters and spend a significant portion of their day feeding.

The vocalizations of the fork-tailed drongo are diverse, including sharp calls, whistles, and squeaks. They are known to mimic the calls of other bird species and even the sounds of other animals, such as cats and meerkats.

Breeding seasons vary by region, with the bird nesting close to wetlands, forests, and farms. The female lays one to four eggs, which hatch in 15 to 18 days. The species is monogamous and aggressively defends its nest from various predators.

The diet of the fork-tailed drongo is primarily insectivorous, including butterflies, termites, and grasshoppers. They also consume small fish, other birds, nectar, and plants when available. They are known to follow large mammals to catch insects disturbed by their movement.

7-6-2019 MOREMI CAMP, BOTSWANA - KALAHARI FORK TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus adsimilis ssp. apivorus)

The fork-tailed drongo, also known as the common drongo or African drongo, is a member of the Dicruridae family. It is a small bird with a distinctive fork-shaped tail, red-brownish eyes, and an entirely black plumage that exhibits a blue-green iridescence in certain lights. Both sexes are similar in appearance, with the underside of the bird being uniformly black, contrasting with the glossy black-blue upper body.

When identifying the fork-tailed drongo, look for its robust black beak, red eyes, and the deeply forked black tail. Juveniles can be distinguished by their dark brown tone, less pronounced tail fork, and lack of glossy shine on the lower body. During flight, the darker remiges of the D. a. adsimilis subspecies are particularly noticeable.

The fork-tailed drongo inhabits wooded habitats, including woodlands and savannas, and is tolerant of arid climates. It can be found at elevations up to 2200 meters.

This species is widespread across Africa south of the Sahara, with four recognized subspecies varying in range and physical characteristics. It was once thought to range into Asia, but the Asian species is now classified as the black drongo (D. macrocercus).

4-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - KALAHARI FORK TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus adsimilis ssp. apivorus)

The Kalahari fork-tailed drongo is a clever, glossy black bird known for its deceptive and thieving nature, particularly its ability to mimic other birds' alarm calls to steal their food. These birds are also known for their fearless behavior, sometimes joining other animals like meerkats and babblers for foraging or even to protect their territory. They have a narrow, forked tail, red-brownish eyes, and a diet of insects, with other small prey also included. 

Deceptive behaviors

Food theft: The drongo will use fake alarm calls to scare other animals, like meerkats, away from their food, and then steal it for itself.

Mimicry: It can mimic the sounds of various predators or other birds to deceive others. Once the other animals flee, the drongo follows up with an "all clear" call to keep them around for future tricks.

Learning: The drongo's mimicry is a learned behavior, which it adapts based on feedback from other animals.