THE Forktailed drongo is a common species found over most of Southern Africa.
Usually solitary or in pairs, and sometimes in groups of up to 20 birds, it enjoys woodland, savanna, riverine acacia, exotic plantations, farmyard, gardens and open grassveld with perches.
They perch on a conspicuous branch, post or large mammals.
They sally out to catch prey on ground or in flight, returning to the same perch.
The drongo’s flight is bouyant, undulating and agile. They often mob larger raptors and small mammals. They are aggressive at nest, even attacking man. They often steal food from other birds and feed by holding it with one foot and tearing with their hooked beak.
Food favourites are insects especially bees, small birds, fish and nectar.
Their song is a loud jumble of creaking and rasping sounds ‘twank’ or ’twillang’. They are vocal on moonlit nights and often imitate other bird calls.
Breeding is from October to January. They lay two to four variable coloured eggs in a strongly woven nest made from roots, tendrils and twigs. The nest is bound with spider web and suspended, hammock-like, between the fork of a tree.
Incubation takes 16 to 17 days and nestlings remain for 17 to 18 days.
Their Zulu name is iNtengu and in Afrikaans, it is known as mikstertbyvanger.
