Photo: DickDaniels (http://carolinabirds.org/) / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Somali Fiscal
Lanius somalicus
Somali Fiscal (Lanius somalicus) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Somali Fiscal (Lanius somalicus) is a member of the Laniidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 45.3 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Laniidae Shrikes
- Genus Lanius
- Species somalicus
Where it lives
Southeastern South Sudan, central Ethiopia and Djibouti to east-central Somalia and central Kenya
Quick facts
- Weight
- 45.3 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Laniidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Somali Fiscal is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of arid, desert country, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Somali Fiscal is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Somali Fiscal (Lanius somalicus) is a species of bird in the Laniidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF se South Sudan, c Ethiopia and Djibouti to ec Somalia and c Kenya.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 45.3 g, with a wing length of about 9.9 cm and a tail of around 9.5 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 858,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Somali Fiscal?
The Somali Fiscal is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 45.3 g.
Where does the Somali Fiscal live?
The Somali Fiscal is found across Africa with a range covering AF se South Sudan, c Ethiopia and Djibouti to ec Somalia and c Kenya, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Somali Fiscal belong to?
The Somali Fiscal (Lanius somalicus) belongs to the Laniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Somali Fiscal eat?
The Somali Fiscal is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Somali Fiscal migrate?
The Somali Fiscal is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Somali Fiscal endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Somali Fiscal make?
1 real field recording of the Somali Fiscal — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Somali Fiscal's range?
The Somali Fiscal has a mapped global range of about 858,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Laniidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
More in Songbirds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Guides for this bird
Best Bird Feeders for Garden Songbirds
How to choose a bird feeder for garden songbirds — the feeder styles compared, the seed they prefer, where to hang it, and how to keep birds safe. A decision framework grounded in real data, with no mystery picks.