Forest Batis (Batis mixta) [XC633789]
by Louis A. Hansen from Unguja Ukuu (western part of Jozani NP_rarely visited_includes birds from just outside the forest), Tanzania (song)
Forest Batis (Batis mixta) [XC624673]
by Elia Mulungu (via Louis A. Hansen) from Unguja Ukuu (western part of Jozani NP_rarely visited_includes birds from just outside the forest), Tanzania (call)
Subspecies
Batis mixta (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) has been split into Forest Batis (Batis mixta) and Dark Batis (Batis crypta) following Fjeldså et al. (2006). Reichenow's Batis (Batis reichenowi) (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) has been lumped into Forest Batis (Batis mixta) following Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993). This latter treatment is under review by the BirdLife Taxonomic Working Group.
Forms a superspecies with Cape Batis (Batis capensis), Reichenow's Batis (Batis reichenowi), Dark Batis (Batis crypta) and Woodwards' Batis (Batis fratrum), probably also with Margaret's Batis (Batis margaritae) and Ruwenzori Batis (Batis diops). Until very recently included Dark Batis (Batis crypta) as part of nominate subspecies, but the two found to differ morphologically and genetically. Formerly often treated as conspecific with Reichenow's Batis (Batis reichenowi). According to new study, subspecies ultima, which has in the past been included in Woodwards' Batis (Batis fratrum), is weakly differentiated from nominate.
The following 3 subspecies are recognised:
mixta (Shelley, 1889) - North-eastern Tanzania from Mt Kilimanjaro and Arusha National Park, and L Manyara, south to Nguru Mts (including Amani, Mt Kanga, Usambara Mts, Vumari); possibly also Taveta, in south-eastern Kenya.
ultima Lawson, 1962 - Coast of south-eastern Kenya (Ganda, Rabai, Shimba Hills, Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Shimoni).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet