Long-tailed Fiscal
Lanius cabanisi
The Long-tailed Fiscal (Lanius cabanisi) is a rare shrik found in 3 countries, weighing about 74 g. The long-tailed fiscal is a species of bird in the shrike family Laniidae.
About the Long-tailed Fiscal
The long-tailed fiscal 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.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Long-tailed Fiscal can be seen all year round, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Long-tailed Fiscal?
- Like many shrike species the appearance of the adults is similar between the sexes but strikingly different in juvenile birds. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Long-tailed Fiscal?
- The Long-tailed Fiscal is a medium sized bird weighing about 74 g.
- Where can you see a Long-tailed Fiscal?
- The Long-tailed Fiscal occurs in 3 countries, including Kenya, Tanzania and Somalia.
- What birds look similar to a Long-tailed Fiscal?
- The Long-tailed Fiscal is most easily confused with the Burmese Shrike, the Tiger Shrike and the Taita Fiscal.
- Is the Long-tailed Fiscal endangered?
- The Long-tailed Fiscal is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Long-tailed Fiscal for real
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