Cape batis

Batis capensis

(Photo from Bird Forum)

Common name:
Cape batis (en); batis-do-Cabo (pt); pririt du Cap (fr); batis de El Cabo (es); Kapschnäpper (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Platysteiridae

Range:
This species is found from Tanzania south to Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, eastern Mozambique and eastern and southern South Africa.

Size:
These birds are 12-15 cm long and weigh 13 g.

Habitat:
The Cape batis is found in a wide range of habitats, including evergreen forests, Acacia woodlands, bushveld scrublands, plantations, gardens and orchards. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 2.150 m.

Diet:
They glean various insects from the leaves and bark of trees and scrubs, namely beetles, caterpillars and flies.

Breeding:
The Cape batis breeds in August-January. The nest is built by both sexes, consisting of
a small, thickly-walled cup, made of dry plant material bound together by spider webs, lined with fine plant detritus or hair. It is usually placed on a horizontal branch of small shrub, about 1-9 m above ground. The female lays 1-3 eggs, which she incubates alone for 17-21 days while the male brings her food. The chicks are mainly brooded by the female and the male brings the food to the nest. They fledge 16 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as generally common. The population is believed to be stable.