Animalia Life
Batis capensis
SUBFAMILY
Platysteirinae
TAXONOMY
Batis capensis Linnaeus, 1766.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Cape puffback; French: Batis du Cap; German: Kapschnдpper;
Spanish: Batis de el Cabo.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The body length is about 6 in (15 cm). The head is relatively
large, the tail short, and the wings rounded. The iris is orange.
The male is colored dark blue-gray on the back and tail, with a
black top of head, white throat, black breast-band, white belly,
and rufus flanks. The female is a duller color, with no breastband,
and has a brown wash to the breast.
DISTRIBUTION
A local (or endemic) species of coastal southern Africa.
HABITAT
Occurs in primary and mature secondary woodland, montane
forest, shrubby scrub, plantations, and gardens with trees. It
occurs between sea level and about 7,050 ft (2,150 m).
BEHAVIOR
A nonmigratory species that occurs in pairs or as small family
groups. Some populations undertake seasonal altitudinal movements.
Breeding birds defend a territory. Sometimes aggregates
into a larger, excitable flock of 10–30 birds known as a “batis
parliament,” and may also join mixed-species foraging flocks.
The song is a simple whistle or series of notes.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Searches actively or from a perch for insects at all levels of the
canopy. Insects are mostly caught in flight, often after they are
scared from a hiding place.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Builds a small cup-shaped nest in a narrow fork of a branch.
Lays one to three eggs that are incubated by the female for
17–21 days. Pairs are monogamous but their immature progeny
help them with their breeding effort.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened. An endemic species that is locally abundant in
parts of its range.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known, except for the economic benefits of birdwatching.
Photo Gallery of - Cape batis
