LITTLE TERRIER OF THE BIRD WORLD – THE FORK-TAILED DRONGO!

You can’t fail to notice these fearless little black birds with their red eyes if you’re visiting the Bushveld! They usually sit exposed on the lower branches of bushes and trees, from which perch they prey on insects, small invertebrates, and reptiles, and even the nestlings of other species.

They are also accomplished kleptoparasites, regularly stealing other birds’ meals. They have a very interesting way of doing this too! They can mimic the alarm calls of other bird species! The startled birds fly off to hide and the Drongo swoops down to steal their catch. On its own, this ability to mimic other birds’ alarm calls would make them special, but remarkably they also can mimic the alarm calls of many mammal species! Even bigger mammals are fooled by this ruse and rush to hide. In their rush, they stir up insects from the grass, and our little bird swoops down and hawks them.

When it comes to breeding, Drogo’s are monogamous like most bird species. This survival strategy has worked well for birds, because the energy and effort needed to brood eggs and bring food for fast-growing nestlings demands serious commitment! Drogo’s do this job very well, which is why they are often chosen as brood hosts by Cuckoo species.

Sometimes confused with the Southern Black Flycatcher, just look for the hooked bill and red eye to confirm that you are looking at a Fork-tailed Drongo!

Drogo’s are very terrier-like when it comes to their complete lack of fear and their relentless mobbing of birds of prey that venture too close. They are often seen mobbing hawks and even eagles, dive-bombing the vastly bigger birds and repeatedly pecking them on the back of their heads. They are too quick and agile for any effective retaliation by the severely irritated bigger birds.

Fearless. Punches way above its weight…. sounds just like a terrier to me!

Look for them around Needles Lodge, your luxury safari accommodation on the doorstep of the Kruger National Park.