Long-tailed fiscal

Long-tailed fiscal
Juveniles
Adult
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Laniidae
Genus: Lanius
Species:
L. cabanisi
Binomial name
Lanius cabanisi
Hartert, 1906

The long-tailed fiscal (Lanius cabanisi) is a species of bird in the shrike family Laniidae. The species is closely related to the more widespread grey-backed fiscal and is sometimes placed in a separate subgenus, Neolanius, with that species. It is found in southern Somalia, southern and south-eastern Kenya, from the shores of Lake Victoria to the coast; and northern and eastern Tanzania south to Dar es Salaam, with a separate population at Usanga Flats. Its natural habitat is open dry habitats such as dry, treeless savanna, open woodland and cultivated patches.[2]

This conspicuous fiscal can often be seen in small groups perching in the open especially noticeable on telegraph poles and wires. It characteristically waggles its long tail from side to side excitedly. It can be distinguished from the common fiscal, Lanius collaris, by its gray back and more robust shape.[3]

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Lanius cabanisi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22705057A93998746. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22705057A93998746.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference HBW was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Long-tailed Fiscal, Lanius cabanisi". Kenyabirds.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2013-03-06. Retrieved 2013-07-10.