Western Black-headed Batis
Batis erlangeri
A typical black, white, and dark-gray batis. Note the chest band, which is black in males and chestnut in females. Found in woodland and moist savanna, often in pairs. Very similar to Gray-headed Batis, and best distinguished by voice, but also usually shows a darker gray crown. Also similar to Senegal and Pale Batises, but has a narrower white eyebrow stripe than the former and is darker overall than the latter. The distinctive song is a series of hollow whistles on the same pitch.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Batis erlangeri
- Authority
- Neumann, 1907
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Platysteiridae
- Genus
- Batis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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American Coot
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Plump, chicken-like bird that acts like a duck. Gray overall with blacker head and white bill. Tiny tail and short wings. Feet are large, yellow-green, and oddly lobed. Head jerks back and forth when swimming. Forages for aquatic vegetation anywhere with water: ponds, city parks, marshes, reservoirs, lakes, ditches, and saltmarshes.
Chinese Blackbird
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Large dark thrush of open forests, gardens, and farms; one of the more common urban birds throughout much of its extensive range. Frequently seen on lawns and fields away from cover, pulling up worms and other invertebrates. Both sexes dark with orange bills, the male black overall, the female dark brown. Sings beautifully from exposed perches throughout the day, a series of loud melodic notes that varies between individuals. Often gives a shrill shriek or a series of “wuk” notes when alarmed or agitated.
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