Chinspot Batis

The Chinspot Batis, Batis molitor, presents as a rather stout avian, measuring between 12 to 13 centimeters in length. It is adorned with a distinctive black mask across its face, complemented by a short white eyestripe and a grey cap. Its throat is a pristine white, while the upperparts are a subtle grey, highlighted by a striking white wing stripe. The eyes of this bird are a vivid yellow, contrasting with its black legs and bill. Males boast a black breast band, whereas females are characterized by a chestnut breast band and a matching spot on the throat. The juveniles resemble the females, albeit with a tawny hue to their breast band and throat spot.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify the Chinspot Batis, look for the black mask and the white eyestripe, as well as the white throat and wing stripe. The male's black breast band and the female's chestnut markings are also key distinguishing features. The bird's active behavior and constant head movement in search of prey can also aid in identification.

Habitat

The Chinspot Batis favors Savanna woodlands, predominantly of the deciduous variety, including miombo (Brachystegia woodland), riverine thickets, bushveld, and scrub. It is also known to inhabit cultivated areas such as orchards, farmland, gardens, and parks, and can be found at elevations up to 3,000 meters in the central African mountains.

Distribution

This species is commonly found across southern Africa, with its range extending from the Eastern Cape northward to southern Kenya and Gabon at 3°N latitude.

Behaviour

The Chinspot Batis is typically a solitary or paired bird, not known for sociability. It exhibits a plethora of active behaviors, including tail and wing flicking, body jerking, and head cocking. During the austral winter and early spring, it may form "parliaments" of up to ten birds, often engaging in wing-fripping displays and vocal confrontations, sometimes escalating to physical altercations. The species is territorial year-round, with males vocalizing a descending three-note whistle to assert their domain, sometimes in duet with females.

Song & Calls

The male's territorial call is a descending three-note whistle, often performed with the head raised to showcase the white throat. In more intense displays, the male may engage in short circular flights above the canopy, emitting frog-like calls and wing-fripping sounds.

Breeding

The Chinspot Batis constructs a small cup-shaped nest from plant fibers and spider webs, adorned with lichen, on a horizontal branch. Both sexes participate in nest building. The female lays one to four eggs and incubates them for 16 to 18 days, with both parents feeding the young.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Chinspot Batis primarily consists of arthropods, particularly insects and their larvae, as well as spiders. Prey is typically foraged within the canopy by hawking or gleaning from foliage, and larger prey may be subdued by being beaten against a branch.

Conservation status

The Chinspot Batis is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating a stable population without significant threats at this time.

Similar Species

In southern Africa, the Chinspot Batis forms a superspecies with other woodland and forest Batis species, such as the Pririt Batis, Woodward's Batis, Pale Batis, and Cape Batis. These species replace the Chinspot Batis in different habitats or geographical areas, with the Pririt Batis and Pale Batis found in arid and humid coastal woodlands, respectively, and Woodward's and Cape Batises in forests.