Taita Fiscal
Lanius dorsalis
A small black, white, and gray shrike. The sexes are similar, but females can show a small chestnut patch on the flanks. Note the small white mark in the wing and the white outer tail, which can be conspicuous in flight. Found in dry savanna and grassland. Perches up conspicuously, often in pairs. Very similar to Somali Fiscal, but has only a single white patch at the center of the wing. The repetitive vocalizations include rasping and liquid notes, often delivered in a rising pattern.
Identification
This is a fairly distinctive 21 cm (8.3 in)-long passerine with white underparts and a black crown, hindneck and wings. The back is grey with a characteristic white 'V' and the rump is white. The tail is relatively long and black with white outer feathers. There is a small white patch on the wings. The bill, eyes and legs are black. The adult male and female Taita fiscal have similar plumage except for a rufous lower flank of the female which is usually hidden by the wing. The juvenile is mainly brown–black above, with barring on the head and buff tips to the shoulder feathers. Its underparts are whitish with darker barring. The adult Taita fiscal is distinguished from other black-headed fiscals by the grey back and the wing pattern, if those are well seen. It gives a jumbled mix of shrike-like whistles and buzzes, including a chwaa-pikerrek-chrrrr-yook pikechik song.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Lanius dorsalis
- Authority
- Cabanis, 1878
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Laniidae
- Genus
- Lanius
Range and habitat
The Taita fiscal has a restricted range in East Africa which overlaps with the range of the Somali fiscal (Lanius somalicus). It is present in most of Kenya, only being absent from the coastal strip and the Highlands. It also occurs in southern and western Somalia, southern Ethiopia, southeastern South Sudan, northeastern Uganda and northern Tanzania.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The Taita fiscal is usually solitary and hunts insects and small vertebrates from an exposed perch or the tops of shrubs. The nest is a twig and grass cup built in a thorn tree. Three or four white eggs blotched with grey or white is the typical clutch.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch
Leucosticte tephrocotis
The most widespread rosy-finch. Body is the color of milk chocolate. Look for pink highlights in the wings, tail and belly. Several different populations; some have gray wrapping around the back of the head only above the eye, others have entirely gray cheek. Breeds at the highest elevations; descends to lower elevations in winter. Often in mixed flocks in winter with other rosy-finches. Feeds on seeds and insects. Look for them foraging on alpine snowfields. Visits feeders, primarily in winter.
Gray-headed Chickadee
Poecile cinctus
Large fluffy head, dark cocoa crown, big black chin patch, and rusty flanks separate this species from other tits in its home of the vast boreal forests. Usually occurs in well-preserved lichen-clad pine forests but also in upland birch forests. Varied vocal repertoire; some calls can be similar to Willow Tits. Feeds on insects and seeds. Visit feeders.
Ashy Bulbul
Hemixos flavala
A particularly sharply-dressed bulbul. Throughout most of its range, gray overall with bright yellow-green wing panels, round brown ear patches, and a white throat. Birds in southern Indochina are browner overall, with less contrast. Dark bushy crest is often raised, giving the bird a messy-haired appearance. Inhabits a wide range of wooded habitats in foothill, submontane, and montane regions, often foraging in flocks with other bulbul species. Song consists of short, jumbled phrases of metallic warbled notes. Calls are variable, including both harsh chattering and tuneful piping notes.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.