Mackinnon's Shrike
Lanius mackinnoni
Medium-sized, slim shrike patterned in dark gray, black, and white. The male has completely white underparts, while the female has a rufous flank patch. There are large white slashes across the shoulders. Found along forest edge and in forest clearings, lush woodland, cultivations, and gardens. Usually seen singly or in pairs. The song is a slow, highly varied series of many different types of notes, and can include imitations of other birds. Similar to Northern Fiscal, but has a gray crown and back. Distinguished from other black-masked, gray-backed shrikes by the lack of a white nick on the wing.
Identification
Mackinnon's shrike grows to a length of about 20 cm (8 in). The adult male has a greyish-black head and mantle, a white supercilium, white scapulars and black wings. The tail is black with white margins and the underparts are white, sometimes tinged with buff. The female is similar except for having rufous patches on the flanks. The juvenile is greyish-brown and heavily barred.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Lanius mackinnoni
- Authority
- Sharpe, 1891
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Laniidae
- Genus
- Lanius
Range and habitat
Mackinnon's fiscal is found in tropical humid parts of Central Africa. It has a disjunct range (from the Obudu Plateau to northern Angola on one hand and across northern Congo, the Ruwenzori and Lake Victoria regions on the other). It is found in forest edges, clearings, secondary growth and bushy areas, from sea level up to about 2,200 m (7,200 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Sooty-headed Wren
Pheugopedius spadix
A medium-sized wren found in the understory of foothill forest from eastern Panama into Colombia. Appears dark rufous overall with a mostly black head and grayer crown. Look for the messy white markings on the face. Pairs can be found skulking in dense tangles within forest, where they are difficult to see. Listen for the sweet whistled song.
White-billed Buffalo-Weaver
Bubalornis albirostris
A big, bulky, long-tailed black weaver. The bill is white in males and black in females. There is a white patch on the front edge of the shoulder, and also a pale patch in the wing that can be conspicuous in flight. Immatures are dark brown with heavy streaking below. Found in dry savanna and woodland, often in flocks. Builds huge communal stick nests. Similar to Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver, but never shows a red bill. The common call is a harsh “sjet” that is often given repeatedly by a whole group in chorus.
Barbados Bullfinch
Loxigilla barbadensis
A tame and conspicuous species of gardens, scrubland, and open woodlands. Its plumage is a combination of subtle browns and grays, and its bill is stubby and thick. This species could be mistaken for a female Black-faced Grassquit, but the grassquit has an olive back and is smaller overall. Song is a rapid “tsee-tsee-tsee-tsee…” or “tsit-tsit-tsit-tsit…” often consisting of five to fifteen notes. Calls include a sharp “tseet.”
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