The fork-tailed drongo-cuckoo (Surniculus dicruroides) is a species of cuckoo that resembles the Black drongo (D. macrocercus). It is found mainly in hill forests in peninsular India and Sri Lanka.
It can be identified by its metallic black plumage, straight beak, white barred vent, forked tail and white spot on the back of the head.
It is found in a variety of habitats, including woodland, scrub jungle, plantations, orchard, hill forests and sometimes in plains. It can mimic other birds, contributes to their survivability.
It does not build nests and is a brood parasite on small babblers and drongos. Hatching juveniles instinctively push out of the nest the hosts’ eggs and any hatched nestling. The similarities of the eggs, plumage, body size and shape allows them to ensure that the host parents continue to feed and take care of the young.
Shot in Coorg, Nov 2025 â’¸ Dr.Bishan Monnappa
