Kingdom Animalia Order Passeriformes Genus Batis Higher classification Batis | Phylum Chordata Family Platysteiridae Scientific name Batis minor Rank Species | |
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Similar Batis, Bird, Wattle‑eye, Grey‑headed batis, Pygmy batis | ||
The black-headed batis (Batis minor) is a species of bird in the Platysteiridae family from central and eastern Africa. Some authorities split it into an eastern and western species.
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Description
The black-headed batis is a small, stocky, rather restless, flycatcher like bird with a white, black and grey plumage. The forehead, crown and nape are blackish grey with a white supercilium and loral spot, the mask is glossy bluish black and there is a white spot on the nape. The mantle and back are dark grey with a paler rumpm females have a greyer mantle. The underparts are white with a glossy black breast band, which is dark reddish brown in the females. The tail is black with white outer tail feathers while the wings are mainly black with a white stripe. The bill and legs are black and the eyes yellow. Juveniles are similar to females but browner. They are 10 cm in length and weigh 9·3–13·8 g.
Distribution and subspecies
The black-headed batis has three generally accepted subspecies which are:
Habitat
The black-headed batis occurs in a wide variety of habitats so long as trees are present. These vary from arid savannah woodlands through to juniper on the edge of montane evergreen forest, and including parks and gardens.
Habits
The black-headed batis' biology is little known, they are seemingly typical batises and live in pairs or small family groups. Its diet is insects which it forages for by searching foliage or flycatching.
Taxonomic note
Many authorities regard the black-headed batis as two species, the Eastern black-headed batis Batis erlangeri and the Western black-headed batis Batis minor, including the nominate subspecies and B.m. suahelica.