The Taita fiscal or Teita fiscal is a member of the shrike family found in east Africa from southeastern South Sudan, southern Ethiopia, and western Somalia to northeastern Tanzania. Its habitat is dry open thornbush and acacia and other dry open woodland.
Region
East Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs from southeastern South Sudan, southern Ethiopia, and western Somalia south to northeastern Tanzania. It favors dry open thornbush, acacia savanna, and other arid to semi-arid open woodlands. The species also uses lightly cultivated areas, bushy pasture, and road or fence-line edges with scattered perches. It is typically a lowland to mid-altitude resident within this range.
Altitude Range
0–2000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Taita fiscal is a black-and-white shrike that often hunts from conspicuous perches such as thorny acacias, fence posts, and wires. Like other shrikes, it may impale prey on thorns to store food, creating a 'larder.' It is strongly territorial and readily mobbing intruders near its nest. Pairs often remain together year-round in defended territories.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with direct, perch-to-perch flights
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs maintaining year-round territories. Pairs nest in thorny shrubs or small trees, with a cup nest placed well within protective branches. Both sexes participate in defending the territory and feeding the young. Family groups may linger together after fledging.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A mix of sharp chatters, harsh scolds, and clear whistled phrases delivered from exposed perches. Capable of simple mimicry of other species’ calls, with frequent repetitive notes during territorial displays.
Plumage
Crisp black-and-white shrike with glossy black upperparts contrasting with white underparts and a bold white shoulder patch; long graduated tail with white edges.
Diet
Primarily hunts large insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars. Also takes spiders and occasionally small vertebrates like lizards, small rodents, or nestling birds. Typical shrike behavior includes impaling prey on thorns to store and process food. Prey is spotted from a perch and taken in swift sallies or ground pounces.
Preferred Environment
Edges of acacia woodland, thorn scrub, and open savanna with scattered perches. Frequently hunts along fences, hedgerows, and roadside bush where visibility is high.
