Home › Aves › Cuculidae › Fork-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo (Surniculus dicruroides)
SPECIES PROFILE
Fork-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo (Surniculus dicruroides)
Surniculus
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Indian subcontinent southeast Asia
DIET
Insectivorous
HABITAT
Forests woodlands scrub
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Cuculiformes
FAMILY
Cuculidae
GENUS
Surniculus
📋 Description
SIZE
25-26 cm long 30-40 g
COLORATION
Glossy black with forked tail white thigh patch
ADAPTATIONS
Brood parasite mimics drongo appearance
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Forests woodlands scrub
DIET
Insectivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Indian subcontinent southeast Asia
REPRODUCTION
Lays 1 egg in host nests incubated 12-14 days
DIET DETAILS
Insects caterpillars small invertebrates
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Brood parasitism habitat loss
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Drongo Mimics: Fork-tailed Drongo-Cuckoos deceive with 35-gram bodies eating 10 grams of insects daily in Kerala's forests. Their forked tails mimic drongos.
2
Monsoon Parasites: These cuckoos cover 2000 sq km in Tamil Nadu's woodlands parasitizing drongo nests. Deforestation threatens their hosts.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary in Kerala
Anamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu
Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
June-September Monsoon breeding enhances audibility for spotting cuckoos
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Listen for fork-tailed drongo-cuckoos' soft calls in dense foliage
