Photo: Frank Vassen / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Crested Drongo
Dicrurus forficatus
Crested Drongo (Dicrurus forficatus) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Crested Drongo (Dicrurus forficatus) is a member of the Dicruridae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 47.1 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Dicruridae Drongos
- Genus Dicrurus
- Species forficatus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 47.1 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Dicruridae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Crested Drongo is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open woodland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Crested Drongo is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Crested Drongo (Dicrurus forficatus) is a member of the Dicruridae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF Anjouan (ec Comoros) and Madagascar.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 47.1 g, with a wing length of about 12.6 cm and a tail of around 13.2 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 592,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Crested Drongo?
The Crested Drongo is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 47.1 g.
Where does the Crested Drongo live?
The Crested Drongo is found across Africa with a range covering AF Anjouan (ec Comoros) and Madagascar, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Crested Drongo belong to?
The Crested Drongo (Dicrurus forficatus) belongs to the Dicruridae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Crested Drongo eat?
The Crested Drongo is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Crested Drongo migrate?
The Crested Drongo is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Crested Drongo endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Crested Drongo make?
1 real field recording of the Crested Drongo — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Crested Drongo's range?
The Crested Drongo has a mapped global range of about 592,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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