Bird Guide

Long-tailed Fiscal vs Taita Fiscal

Long-tailed Fiscal (Lanius cabanisi)

Long-tailed Fiscal

Lanius cabanisi

Medium74 gShrubland

Like many shrike species the appearance of the adults is similar between the sexes but strikingly different in juvenile birds. Adult birds are between 26 and 30 cm (10–12 in) in length and weigh between 69 and 80 g (2.4–2.8 oz) (with males averaging slightly heavier). They are large and robust with, as the name suggests, very long graduated tails and typical strong heavy bills. Moreover, L. cabanisi is more compact, and has less slim feet than L. collaris.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Long-tailed Fiscal
Recorded by Frank shirima · Call · Kudu Hills,Mererani, Simanjiro, Manyara Region, Tanzania · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Irene · CC0
Taita Fiscal (Lanius dorsalis)

Taita Fiscal

Lanius dorsalis

Small50 gShrubland

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.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Sri Srikumar · CC0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Long-tailed Fiscal and Taita Fiscal.