Chinspot Batis

Batis molitor

Alternative names, White-flanked Batis, Chinspot Puffback-Flycatcher

Photo by jdbirdman
Location: Umfolozi Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Photo by CollinBax
Location: Crocodile Bridge, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Identification

Length 12-13 cm; mass 8-14 g.

Differs from other Batis species by its pure white flanks (and the chestnut breast band and throat patch in the female).

Distribution

Sub-Saharan Africa.

Taxonomy

Batis molitor has four subspecies:¹

• B. m. pintoi

• South-eastern Gabon to Angola, south-western Zaire and north-western Zambia

• B. m. puella

• Eastern Zaire to Uganda, western Kenya and western Tanzania

• B. m. palliditergum

• Southern Zaire to Namibia, Botswana, Malawi and north-western South Africa

• B. m. molitor

• Southern Mozambique to eastern South Africa

Habitat

Woodland, savanna and riverine thickets.

Behaviour

Active birds; constantly foraging and hawking insects and spiders in the canopy of trees or bushes.

Breeding

The nest is a small cup of plant fibres and spider web, decorated with lichen; built by both sexes on a horizontal branch. One to four eggs are laid and incubated for 16-18 days by the female. Both adults feed the young.

References

1. Clements JF. 2007. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2008. Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019
2. Gibbon G. 2002. Roberts' Multimedia Birds of Southern Africa: Version 3. John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. www.sabirding.co.za

External Links

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