Cape Batis © pinterest.com

Forms a superspecies with Reichenow's Batis (Batis reichenowi), Forest Batis (Batis mixta), Dark Batis (Batis crypta) and Woodwards' Batis (Batis fratrum), probably also with Margaret's Batis (Batis margaritae) and Ruwenzori Batis (Batis diops). Sometimes considered conspecific with Reichenow's Batis (Batis reichenowi). Along with Reichenow's Batis (Batis reichenowi), subspecies dimorpha and sola regarded by some authors as intergrades with Forest Batis (Batis mixta), or as subspecies of a separate species (male plumage differences greater than those between several reputedly "good" species). Further study required. Further, nominate subspecies and hollidayi possibly overlap geographically in eastern South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal), indicating that latter may represent a separate species. Population on Mt Namuli, in northern Mozambique, currently placed in dimorpha, but may represent a separate, as yet undescribed subspecies.

The following 6 subspecies are recognised:

• sola Lawson, 1964   -  Northern Malawi and, locally, Zambia (Nyika Plateau, Mukuta and Mafinga Mts).
• dimorpha (Shelley, 1893)   -  Mountains of central and southern Malawi, and adjacent northern Mozambique (Mt Namuli). Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Malawi Batis (Batis dimorpha).
• kennedyi Smithers & Paterson, 1956   -  Matopo Hills, in south-western Zimbabwe.
• erythrophthalma Swynnerton, 1907   -  Eastern highlands of Zimbabwe and adjacent Mozambique.
• hollidayi Clancey, 1952   -  North-eastern South Africa (southern from Soutpansberg), Swaziland and adjacent southern Mozambique (Lebombo Highlands).
• capensis (Linnaeus, 1766)   -  Southern South Africa (Western Cape east to western Kwazulu-Natal) and eastern Lesotho.

Files:

More Information

BirdLife International For more information about the Cape Batis see... BirdLife International Species Factsheet. Articles about the Cape Batis If you would like to read any articles about the Cape Batis... Show Articles (0) No Pictures of Cape Batis If Birdpedia has no pictures of Cape Batis or you would like to see more, then try the following...       From BING (10) No Videos of Cape Batis If Birdpedia has no videos of Cape Batis or you would like to see more, then try the following..       From BING (0) Where can I observe this species? Select an area (or leave blank) to see locations where this species has been recorded. Area   LESOTHO   All    Optional: Complete the following if you wish to restrict the reserve to within a given distance of a location. Please enter the Latitude and Longitiude of a given location together with the maximum distance (km) to display a list of reserves within that distance. You must enter a Latitude, a Longitude and a distance greater than 0.   Latitude: (Decimal degrees takes precedence) Deg Min Sec     Decimal degrees (Include compass setting or value)          N S or   GPS help Longitude: (Decimal degrees takes precedence) Deg Min Sec     Decimal degrees (Include compass setting or value)          E W or   Find GPS using Google Maps Distance Bearing     N NE E SE S SW W NW Get Sample GPS readings On What Field Trips was this species observed? Select an area (or leave blank), and a date range, to see field trips on which this species has been recorded. Area   LESOTHO   All    From To     Optional: Complete the following if you wish to restrict the reserve to within a given distance of a location. Please enter the Latitude and Longitiude of a given location together with the maximum distance (km) to display a list of reserves within that distance. You must enter a Latitude, a Longitude and a distance greater than 0.   Latitude: (Decimal degrees takes precedence) Deg Min Sec     Decimal degrees (Include compass setting or value)          N S or   GPS help Longitude: (Decimal degrees takes precedence) Deg Min Sec     Decimal degrees (Include compass setting or value)          E W or Distance Bearing     N NE E SE S SW W NW Get Sample GPS readings Latest Sightings for Cape Batis Select the Area to restrict the Sightings. Area   LESOTHO   All