Long-tailed Fiscal

Lanius cabanisi

Other Names

    Pie-grièche à longue queue   Langschwanzwürger     Långstjärtad fiskaltörnskata     Fiscal codalunga

World: Endemic to NE Africa in s Somalia, Kenya and ne Tanzania.

Kenya: Central and southern regions including the coastal strip.

This is a noisy, conspicuous fiscal which can often be seen in small groups. It perches in the open and is frequently to be seen waving its long tail from side to side excitedly. Heading south from Nairobi it is difficult to miss these birds as they seem to perch on every available telegraph pole and wire. It can be distinguished from the similarly long-tailed Common Fiscal by its grey (not black) back and its more robust shape. The Taita Fiscal has a similar grey back but this is edged with white, the Taita Fiscal also has a shorter tail.