The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Fork-tailed Drongo
Afrikaans name: Mikstertbyvanger
Photo © Steven Herbert
Dicrurus adsimilis
The Fork-tailed Drongo is a well-known bird. It is known by a variety of names in other countries including African Drongo and Common Drongo.
There are two similar birds found in South Africa, the Black Flycatcher and Black Cuckooshrike, but the deeply forked tail identifies this one.
Males are more glossy than females but this isn't always easy to see. They make their nest in the fork of a tree - normally high up. Up to 4 eggs are laid.
Fork-tailed Drongos feed on insects. They perch on an exposed branch and watch for signs of movement. They can commonly be seen accompanying some species of game such as Rhinos. The Rhino disturbs the insects which are then caught by the Drongo.
These birds can be quite aggressive towards predators particularly birds of prey.
Photo © Steven Herbert
Roberts Birds Names by Edition
| Edition | Roberts nr | Scientific name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 517 | Bhuchanga adsimilis adsimilis |
| 2nd | 517 | Dicrurus adsimilis |
| 3rd | 517 | Dicrurus adsimilis |
| 4th | 517 | Dicrurus adsimilis |
| 5th | 541 | Dicrurus adsimilis |
| 6th | 541 | Dicrurus adsimilis |
| 7th | 539 | Dicrurus adsimilis |
| Edition | Roberts nr | English name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 517 | Fork-tailed Drongo |
| 2nd | 517 | Fork-tailed Drongo |
| 3rd | 517 | Fork-tailed Drongo |
| 4th | 517 | Fork-tailed Drongo |
| 5th | 541 | Forktailed Drongo |
| 6th | 541 | Forktailed Drongo |
| 7th | 539 | Fork-tailed Drongo |
| Edition | Roberts nr | Afrikaans name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 517 | Mikstert-byvanger |
| 2nd | 517 | Mikstert-byvanger |
| 3rd | 517 | Mikstert-byvanger |
| 4th | 517 | Mikstert-byvanger |
| 5th | 541 | Mikstertbyvanger |
| 6th | 541 | Mikstertbyvanger |
| 7th | 539 | Mikstertbyvanger |
References and further reading
The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 55Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 172
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 213
The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 32
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 49
Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 179
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 288
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 302
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 468
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 474
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 352
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 364
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 274
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 296
Questions and Answers - Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 27
Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 210
Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 78
More Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: P. Ginn & G. McIlleron - Published: 1981 - Page: 43
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 296
Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 411
Geoff Lockwoods Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Published: 0 - Page: 82
Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 212
Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 88
Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 183
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 148
Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 64
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 178
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 56
Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 86
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 156
Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 70
Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 101
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 193
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 52
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 211
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 52
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