Northern Fiscal
Lanius humeralis
Long-tailed black-and-white shrike. There is a V-shaped white mark on the shoulders, a small white nick on the bottom of the wing, and white in the outer tail. Juveniles are brownish and heavily barred. Found in a wide variety of open habitats, including moist scrub and savanna, farmland, and grassland. Often solitary. Perches out conspicuously on fence poles, dead trees, and electric wires. The song is a highly variable mix of clear whistles and rougher notes. Also gives low, rough calls. Separated from similar shrikes by its black rather than gray back.
Identification
The northern fiscal (Lanius humeralis) is a member of the shrike family found through most of Sub-Saharan Africa. It used to be grouped with the southern fiscal (Lanius collaris). Together they were called the common fiscal. The fiscal gets its English and Afrikaans common names from its black and white 'suit-and-tie' appearance reminiscent of the taxman (‘fiscal’).
Taxonomy
Genus: Lanius; Family: Laniidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Lanius humeralis
- Authority
- Stanley, 1814
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Laniidae
- Genus
- Lanius
Range and habitat
The northern fiscal lives in a wide range of habitats from grassland with fences for perching to acacia thornveld or even woodland, but avoids very dense habitats where its hunting would be impaired.
Photos
Bird Calls
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