Chin-spot Batis

Batis molitor

Other Names

  Chin-spot Flycatcher, Chin Spot Puff-back Flycatcher   Pririt molitor   Weißflankenschnäpper       Witflankvliegenvanger   Batis macchiato

World: Africa - widespread S of 15°S although absent from the arid SW and from areas occupied by the East Coast Batis. Above 15°S it occurs to the E of the Congo Basin extending through East Arica as far N as southern Sudan.

Kenya: Occurs in wooded areas primarily W of 39°E and S of 2°N.

As with other batises the Chin-spot is primarily insectivorous, gleaning its food from the surfaces of leaves (although it will occasionally take insects on the wing). It is fairly common and widespread and can be distinguished from the somewhat similar Pygmy Batis by its longer tail, longer supercilliary stripe and yellow eye. The individual pictured is a male and lacks the chin-spot which gives the species its common name. The female has a chestnut throat spot and chestnut breast band.