Photo: Dominic Sherony / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Northern Fiscal
Lanius humeralis
Northern Fiscal (Lanius humeralis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Northern Fiscal (Lanius humeralis) is a member of the Laniidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 41.8 g.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Laniidae Shrikes
- Genus Lanius
- Species humeralis
Where it lives
Ethiopia and Sub-Saharan Africa south to Angola, southeastern DR Congo, Zambia, Malawi and northern Mozambique
Quick facts
- Weight
- 41.8 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Laniidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Critically Endangered
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Northern Fiscal is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Northern Fiscal is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Northern Fiscal (Lanius humeralis) is a species of bird in the Laniidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF Ethiopia and Sub-Saharan Africa s to Angola, se DR Congo, Zambia, Malawi and n Mozambique.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 41.8 g, with a wing length of about 9.2 cm and a tail of around 12.2 cm.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Northern Fiscal?
The Northern Fiscal is a small bird that weighs around 41.8 g.
Where does the Northern Fiscal live?
The Northern Fiscal is found across Africa with a range covering AF Ethiopia and Sub-Saharan Africa s to Angola, se DR Congo, Zambia, Malawi and n Mozambique, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Northern Fiscal belong to?
The Northern Fiscal (Lanius humeralis) belongs to the Laniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Northern Fiscal eat?
The Northern Fiscal is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Northern Fiscal migrate?
The Northern Fiscal is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
What sound does the Northern Fiscal make?
1 real field recording of the Northern Fiscal — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
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