Is 44 Tauri an exceptional case among the δ Scuti stars?

Aims. This paper investigates the pulsational behavior of the exceptionally slow rotating delta Scuti star 44 Tau. Methods. During 2000 and 2003 we carried out a photometric observing campaign and obtained 470 h of Stromgren photometry (v and y). Results. We observed 29 pulsational frequencies, from which 16 linear combinations were detected. Amplitude variations were found to be significant for three frequencies. Furthermore a close frequency pair was derived. The pulsational constant Q has been calculated for all frequencies. The radial fundamental and the first overtone were identified based on Q and the positive phase shifts in all three observing seasons. Additionally we found evidence for the presence of g modes. The newly derived value of the projected rotational velocity of v sin i = 2 +/- 1 km s(-1) is discussed. Conclusions. Fast rotation can be excluded, but there are no evident proofs to favor slow rotation or pole-on view.