Taita fiscal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Taita fiscal |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Adult | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Lanius
|
| Species: |
dorsalis
|
The Taita fiscal (also called Teita fiscal) is a cool bird from the shrike family. Its scientific name is Lanius dorsalis. You can find this bird in eastern Africa. It lives in countries like southeastern South Sudan, southern Ethiopia, western Somalia, and northeastern Tanzania.
These birds like dry, open areas. Their favorite homes are places with thornbush and acacia trees. They also live in other dry, open woodlands.
Contents
What Does the Taita Fiscal Look Like?
The Taita fiscal is a pretty unique bird. It is about 21 centimeters (about 8 inches) long. It has white feathers on its belly and a black head. Its neck and wings are also black.
The back of the Taita fiscal is grey. It has a special white 'V' shape on its back. Its rump (the area above its tail) is white. The tail is long and black, with white feathers on the outer edges. There is also a small white patch on its wings. The bird's beak, eyes, and legs are all black.
Differences Between Males and Females
Adult male and female Taita fiscals look very similar. The only small difference is that females have a reddish-brown color on their lower sides. This color is usually hidden by their wings.
Young Taita Fiscals
Young Taita fiscals (called juveniles) look a bit different. They are mostly brown-black on top. They have stripes on their heads. Their shoulder feathers have buff (light yellowish-brown) tips. Their undersides are whitish with darker stripes.
How to Tell Them Apart
It can be tricky to tell different shrike birds apart. But you can spot an adult Taita fiscal by its grey back. Also, its wing pattern is special. If you see these features clearly, you know it's a Taita fiscal.
What Does the Taita Fiscal Sound Like?
The Taita fiscal makes a mix of sounds. It has whistles and buzzing noises, typical for a shrike. One of its songs sounds like chwaa-pikerrek-chrrrr-yook pikechik.
Where Does the Taita Fiscal Live?
The Taita fiscal lives in a specific part of East Africa. Its home range overlaps with another bird called the Somali fiscal (Lanius somalicus).
You can find the Taita fiscal in most parts of Kenya. It is only missing from the coastal areas and the Highlands. It also lives in southern and western Somalia. You can find it in southern Ethiopia, southeastern South Sudan, northeastern Uganda, and northern Tanzania.
How Does the Taita Fiscal Live?
The Taita fiscal usually lives alone. It is a hunter! It looks for insects and small vertebrates (animals with backbones). It often hunts from a high spot. This could be an exposed branch or the top of a shrub.
Nesting and Eggs
When it's time to build a nest, the Taita fiscal makes a cup-shaped nest. It uses twigs and grass. They usually build these nests in thorn trees. A female Taita fiscal typically lays three or four eggs. The eggs are white and have grey or white blotches (spots) on them.
