Somali Fiscal
Lanius somalicus
A small black, white, and gray shrike. The sexes look similar. Note the white patches at the bottom middle and near the end of the wing. Along with the white outer tail, these can be conspicuous in flight. Found in dry savanna and grassland. Perches up conspicuously, often in pairs. Very similar to Taita Fiscal, but has multiple white patches on each wing instead of just one. The repetitive vocalizations include scratchy notes, usually higher and rougher than those of Taita Fiscal, often delivered in a rising pattern.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Lanius somalicus
- Authority
- Hartlaub & Heuglin, 1859
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Laniidae
- Genus
- Lanius
Range and habitat
The Somali fiscal Is found in East Africa, its range including much of Somalia, southern Djibouti, eastern and southern Ethiopia, southeastern South Sudan and northern Kenya. It is mainly found in open grassy habitats and semi-desert areas with some scrub. Where its range overlaps that of the Taita fiscal (Lanius dorsalis), that bird usually inhabits more densely-vegetated and less arid habitats.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Like other shrikes, the Somali fiscal perches in a position where it has a good view all round and pounces on any suitable prey it observes. It feeds mostly on large insects such as grasshoppers, mantises and beetles. Prey is sometimes impaled on thorns for consumption later, and small birds have sometimes been found in these larders. During the breeding season, it will defend the area around its nest, being prepared to attack any bird that ventures near up to the size of a raven. Breeding usually takes place in the rainy season. The nest is usually in a bush, some 1 to 1.5 m (3 to 5 ft) above the ground, with a clutch of four, or sometimes three, eggs being laid. Little is known of incubation and fledging times.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Tody Motmot
Hylomanes momotula
Small and infrequently seen bird of shady forest understory in humid tropical lowlands. Rather inactive. Sits quietly, mainly at low to middle levels, and occasionally wags its tail slowly. Usually not seen until flushed, when flies off with a low whirr of wings. Note the overall drab greenish plumage with a rusty cap and bushy whitish whisker marks. Much smaller than other motmots and lacks the racket tail tips of most larger motmot species.
Plain-breasted Ground Dove
Columbina minuta
Small, inconspicuous dove of savannas and open grassland with scattered low bushes and palmettos; also found locally in cane fields and pastures. Usually found in pairs or small groups, sometimes associating with other ground doves. Both sexes are rather plain overall, with diagnostic purple marks on the back, although the color is often hard to see. The female can be easily confused with the much commoner Ruddy Ground Dove, which also has a plain breast, but the Ruddy Ground Dove is larger and warmer brown overall; also note vocal differences.
Black-headed Grosbeak
Pheucticus melanocephalus
Males are black-and-orange like an oriole, but stockier with a very thick bill. Nonbreeding males, females, and immatures typically have an orangey wash across breast with fine dark streaking on sides. Underwing coverts are always yellow. Bill usually looks bicolored, darker above and paler below. Fairly common in a variety of woodlands including mountain forests, thickets along desert streams, and backyards. Winters in Mexico. Regularly visits feeders. Listen for sweet robinlike song and squeaky call. Compare females and immatures with extremely similar Rose-breasted Grosbeak, which is usually identifiable by range. Black-headed usually has sparser and finer streaking on the underparts and more orange tones.
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