The Senegal batis is a species of small passerine bird in the wattle-eyes family, Platysteiridae. It occurs in western Africa where it is found in dry savanna and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland. It was originally given the binomial name Muscicapa senegalensis by Carl Linnaeus in 1766.
Region
West Africa and the Sahel
Typical Environment
Occurs from Senegal east through the Sahelian and Sudanian zones of West Africa, favoring dry savanna, open woodland, thorn scrub, and wooded edges. It frequents Acacia-dominated habitats, riparian thickets, and farm bush mosaics. The species is most common in semi-open areas with scattered trees and shrubs and readily uses edges of gallery forests. It can adapt to lightly settled areas and gardens where suitable perches remain.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The Senegal batis is a small, active flycatcher-like bird of the wattle-eye family, common across dry savannas of West Africa. Males show a bold black mask and breast band, while females usually replace the band with a rufous-brown tone. It hunts by making quick sallies from exposed perches to snatch insects. Pairs defend territories year-round and build neat, cup-shaped nests in forks of small branches.
Temperament
pair-living and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick sallying flights
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or family groups that maintain small territories. Both sexes participate in nest building, placing a neat cup in a fork of a small branch. They show frequent tail-flicking and perch-switching while foraging and may join mixed-species flocks outside of breeding.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Delivers a series of high, thin whistles and tsee-tsee notes, often repeated in short phrases from an exposed perch. Calls include sharp, scolding chips used during alarm or territorial encounters.
Plumage
Compact batis with grey upperparts, a striking black facial mask edged by a clean white supercilium, and white underparts. Males show a bold black breast band; females typically have a rufous to chestnut breast band and a softer mask. Wings are dark with a clear white wing bar; tail is dark with white edges.
Diet
Primarily feeds on small insects such as beetles, flies, caterpillars, and bugs, as well as spiders and other arthropods. It hunts by sallying from a perch to catch prey in the air or by gleaning from leaves and twigs. Prey is typically subdued and swallowed whole, with frequent short foraging bouts throughout the day.
Preferred Environment
Forages along edges of open woodland, thorn scrub, and savanna with scattered shrubs and trees. Often uses exposed branches, fence lines, and bush tops as vantage points. Will feed along riparian strips and in lightly cultivated areas where cover and perches are available.
