Chinspot batis

Introduction: Chinspot batises (Batis molitor) prefer savannah woodland dominated by Acacia trees as well as broad-leaved woodland with miombo and mopane trees. Although they are usually observed singly or in pairs, groups of over 12 are common in the months preceding the breeding season.

Distribution: North and north-eastern Namibia including Etosha National Park, Kaudom Game Park, Caprivi Strip, Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve.

Diet: Forage around leafy trees inside open tree-canopies for flies and beetles, small wasps and grasshoppers and froghoppers.

Description: Small, flycatcher-like bird with a short bill, long and slender tarsi with a mainly black, white and grey plumage. Batis is an unidentified worm-eating bird mentioned by Aristotle.

Breeding: A well-built cup made from fine grass stems and bark and bound with spider web is constructed from September to February. 1 to 4 eggs are incubated over a period of 18 days.

Size: 12cm.

Weight: 12g.