Taita Fiscal Lanius dorsalis Scientific name definitions

21 cm; 45·5–55 g. A medium-sized black-and-white shrike with relatively short tail . Male has top and side of head to upper mantle black, and contrasting pale grey lower mantle , back and rump, whitish on uppertail-coverts, scapulars conspicuously white; upperwing black, small white patch near base of primaries; tail black, with white edges and tips; throat and underparts pure white; iris dark brown; bill and legs black. Female resembles male, but at least sometimes has small rufous to chestnut streaks on flank, usually concealed by closed wing. Juvenile has blackish-brown facial mask from lores to ear-coverts, is greyish-brown with fine black barring above, rump buffy with dark bars, wing feathers dark with pale buff edging and tips, tail brownish-black with whitish edges and tips, underparts dull whitish, bill pale grey-brown.

Extreme SE South Sudan, S Ethiopia and S Somalia (except extreme S coastal zone) S to NE Uganda (Kidepo Valley S to Moroto), NE & E Kenya (absent SE coastal strip from Malindi S to Tanzanian border) and NE Tanzania (lowlands of Serengeti plains E to Kilimanjaro).

Inhabits dry open bush, acacia (Acacia) woodland and other dry open woodland, from sea-level to at least 1600 m. Avoids highlands, subhumid and humid areas, as well as extremely arid and sparsely vegetated habitats; thus, ecologically segregated from L. collaris, L. cabanisi and L. somalicus.

Little known. Regarded as resident, but some local movements reported in Kenya, as well as possible post-breeding movement May–Jul in Somalia. Vagrants recorded W as far as Kericho (SW Kenya), where individual found in atypical moist habitat, and S to Dar es Salaam (Tanzania).

Little known. Feeds mainly on invertebrates, especially grasshoppers (Orthoptera), beetles (Coleoptera), caterpillars and spiders (Araneae); also takes small vertebrates, including rodents, lizards and small snakes, and possibly also nestlings from Red-billed Quelea (Quelea quelea) colonies. Hunts from perches 2–6 m above ground, taking most prey on ground; occasionally gleans from vegetation, and takes aerial prey. Probably impales prey items, but confirmation required.

Little known. Song  described as repeated phrases with mix of short whistles, harsh buzzy calls, hollow sounds, and ticking and tinkling notes. Also buzzy notes and whistles combined with double sounds e.g. “tzuptzup”, “wokwok”, “klopklop” and “tudil”; also repeated harsh buzzy “bzzrree-bzzreee” notes and flute-like whistled calls. Alarm a harsh grating “churr”.

Breeds in May in Somalia and in Jan and Jun in Tanzania; season in Kenya Mar–Jun and Dec–Jan, coinciding with rains. Monogamous; solitary nester, territorial. Nest a thick-walled open cup made from grass and twigs, generally placed in thorn bush or tree. Clutch 3–4 eggs, creamy to pale greyish, with brown and grey spots mostly around larger end. No other information.

Not globally threatened. Widespread and common; less common in extreme S of range. Precise limits of distribution uncertain, especially in N. Population estimated at fewer than 100,000 breeding pairs; trends unknown. Conservation status hardly known, but probably not at any immediate risk. Occurs in several protected areas, including Buffalo Springs National Reserve and Shaba Game Reserve, in Kenya, and Serengeti National Park, in Tanzania.