Eastern Black-headed Batis (Batis minor) [XC509907]
by Peter Boesman from Same - Kisiwani road, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (song)
Eastern Black-headed Batis (Batis minor) [XC107406]
by Frank Lambert from Msambweni, Kenya (call)
Subspecies
Usually considered conspecific with Western Black-headed Batis (Batis erlangeri) with separation based on significant differences in size and in plumage tones. Recognition of geographical subspecies regarded as unwarranted by some authors.
The following 3 subspecies are recognised:
minor Erlanger, 1901 - Southern Somalia.
suahelica Neumann, 1907 - Coastal areas of Kenya (also isolated population on Mt Endau, in south-east) and Tanzania (extending inland to northern Pare Mts, Mt Kilimanjaro and Kilosa). Also Manda I.
erlangeri Neumann, 1907 - Ethiopian plateau and Somalia western to Cameroon and Angola. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Western Black-headed Batis (Batis erlangeri).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet