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
Genus: Lanius; Family: Laniidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- 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
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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.
Andean Cock-of-the-rock
Rupicola peruvianus
One of the iconic birds of the Andes. Fairly large, significantly larger and chunkier than a thrush. Found in cloud forest at middle elevations, most often at a dawn display site where males make piglike squeals and jump and dance for females. Sometimes seen elsewhere in the forest, especially at fruiting trees. Males can be either brilliant crimson or orange, always with black wings and broad silver tertials, orange legs, and puffy rounded crest. Female duller brown with smaller crest; note staring pale eye. Nests on large rocks or cliff faces. Only similar species is Guianan Cock-of-the-rock, but no range overlap.
Wetar Oriole
Oriolus finschi
Brown above and pale below, with a dark mask and black bill. Juveniles are heavily streaked. Singles and pairs can be found in lowland and foothill forest patches, woodlands, mangroves, and cultivated areas. Resembles Helmeted Friarbird, but lacks a casque, naked facial skin, and a prominent nostril on the blunter-tipped bill. Gives a high-pitched “k’yow” and “weeyoo.”
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