The chinspot batis is a small songbird of the genus Batis in the family Platysteiridae which is a common and widespread species in the woodlands of southern Africa from the Eastern Cape north to 3°N in southern Kenya and Gabon. It forms a superspecies with other rather similar members of the genus Batis.
Region
Southern and East-Central Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs widely from the Eastern Cape of South Africa north through Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique into southern Kenya and west to Gabon. It inhabits dry to moist woodland, savanna, thickets, and forest edges, and readily uses riparian strips and well-treed gardens. Common in acacia and broad-leaved woodlands, including miombo. Typically forages in the mid-story and canopy of small trees and shrubs.
Altitude Range
0–2000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A lively little flycatcher-like songbird, the chinspot batis gets its name from the small white spots on the chin of the male. Males show a bold black eye-mask and breast band, while females replace the band with a warm rufous tone. Pairs hold year-round territories and often join mixed-species foraging parties in woodland. It forms a superspecies complex with several other Batis species across Africa.
Female incubating
female in flight
Temperament
active and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs that maintain small territories throughout the year. They perform short sallies from exposed perches to catch prey and frequently join mixed-species flocks. Nest is a neat cup placed low to mid-level in shrubs or small trees, often bound with spider webs; both parents attend the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a clear series of ringing whistles and piped notes delivered from a perch. Calls include sharp ticks and soft wheezy notes used during pair contact and territorial displays.
Plumage
Compact, neat passerine with smooth, contrasting plumage; male shows crisp black-and-white patterning with a bold mask and breast band, female is similar but with a rufous band and softer contrasts.
Diet
Primarily hunts small insects such as beetles, flies, caterpillars, and ants, and also takes spiders. Forages by sallying from a perch, hovering to glean from leaves, and occasionally hawking aerial prey. Prey is often taken from the undersides of foliage and small branches.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in open woodland, thornveld, forest edge, and well-treed gardens, usually between the lower canopy and mid-story. Often works along edges, clearings, and riparian corridors where prey is abundant.
