Fork-tailed Drongo
Dicrurus adsimilis
Fork-tailed Drongo feeds on insects and small birds in savannas and farmlands.
| Scientific name | Dicrurus adsimilis |
|---|---|
| Swahili name | Kwakwa-mkia-mbili |
| Conservation status | Least Concern |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Dicruridae |
| Size | Male: approximately 50-55 grams; Female: approximately 45-50 grams, body length about 25 centimeters |
How to identify
Distinct forked tail; entire body black with metallic blue-green sheen; head feathers fluffy forming a crest; eyes deep red; tail clearly forked in flight
Habitat
Sparse woodland savanna, bushes, open woodlands, and edges of farmland
Diet
Primarily feeds on insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, ants; also preys on small birds and consumes fruit
When it is active
Diurnal, active during the day
Where it lives
Widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, especially common in Kenya, Tanzania, and the Maasai Mara region
How to spot it
Observe in open areas during early morning or evening, note the typical forked tail and calls
Photography tips
Use a telephoto lens to capture the forked tail in flight; soft morning light is ideal for photographing feather sheen
Threats
Habitat destruction and pesticide use affecting insect resources
Similar species
Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus), differs by smaller size and more distinctly forked tail
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