Rwenzori Batis
Batis diops
Typical black, white, and gray batis. Note the broad black chest band and the white slash across the wing. The eye is yellow in males and orange in females. Found in montane forest, usually in pairs in the mid-story. The vocalizations include high piping notes by the male that are often accompanied by a low bleating from the female. Similar to Ituri Batis but found at higher elevations, and separated by its broader black band across the breast.
Identification
The Rwenzori batis is a small, active black and white Old World flycatcher. The upperparts are dark bluish black with a white stripe along the wing and a white loral spot. The underparts are mostly white except for a glossy bluish black breast band, a black chin spot and black thighs and grey axillaries. The tail is black with the feathers having white tips and white edges on the outer tail feathers. The sexes are similar except that males have yellow eyes and females have been reported sometimes to have orangey-red eyes. Juveniles are similar to adults but the plumage has a more rufous cast. The Rwenzori batis measures 11–12 cm (4.3–4.7 in) in length, and it weighs 8–15.5 g (0.28–0.55 oz).<p>The territorial call is a slow low-pitched whistle, which has been described as both ventriloqual and eerie. It is repeated with an interval of 2–4 seconds between each whistle.
Taxonomy
The Rwenzori batis belongs to the family Platysteiridae, which also contains Margaret's batis, the Cape batis, Forest batis, dark batis and Woodwards's batis. The Rwenzori batis appears to replace the Ituri batis at higher altitudes.
- Scientific name
- Batis diops
- Authority
- Jackson, FJ, 1905
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Platysteiridae
- Genus
- Batis
Range and habitat
The Rwenzori batis occurs in the Albertine Rift from the Rwenzori Mountains in the north to Mount Kabobo in the south. It was also recorded in western Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.It inhabits montane evergreen forest at altitudes of 1,340–3,300 m (4,400–10,830 ft), foremost in dense African alpine bamboo forest or otherwise closed canopy forest on ridges. It also occurs in mixed forest and scrub.<p>In 2004, it was recorded in Virunga National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Volcanoes National Park.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The breeding biology and habits of the Rwenzori batis are little known. It is a shy, active bird which is constantly moving but tends to keep hidden in the foliage. It normally forages in mid levels in undergrowth at 2–6 m (6.6–19.7 ft) above the ground but also in lower canopy of tall trees. It is insectivorous, flycatching using short flights but most food is probably gleaned from the foliage and twigs. The male appears to regularly feed the incubating or brooding females; the nest and its contents have never been formally described.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Antrostomus sericocaudatus
Large nightjar with dark plumage and long wings. Has blackish-brown broad spots and streaks above and is brown and white spotted below. Note the buffy collar on the nape. Males have a white tipped tail while the female’s tail tips are buffy. Found at the forest edge and in the forest interior, preferring thickets and areas with a bamboo understory. The song is a mournful and undulating “doh, wheo, eeo,” often repeated for long periods.
Versicolored Barbet
Eubucco versicolor
Brightly colored barbet of montane forest. Males are green with a yellow breast, a red belly band, and a red head; the color of the whisker can be blue or yellow depending on the subspecies. Females have a blue face and a greener body. Both sexes have a pale greenish-yellow bill. Often found singly or in pairs with mixed-species flocks, foraging in the mid-story and canopy of humid forest. Listen for a musical purr with a punctuated introductory note: “PA-prrrrr.”
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Nystalus obamai
Chunky, bull-headed puffbird of lowland and foothill rainforest east of the Andes to far western Brazil. Underparts are pale with dark, vertical streaks. Also note stout, yellowish bill, and brown cap and back. Very similar to Eastern Striolated-Puffbird (limited overlap in Brazil and possibly Bolivia), but has thicker streaks on underparts. Singles or pairs perch motionless for long periods high in the canopy; usually heard before seen. Typical song is a whistled “wip wip-whirrr?, whurrrr”, with the other member of the pair responding at slightly different pitch.
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