Cape Batis (Batis capensis) [XC591032]
by Sander Bot from Camdeboo Local Municipality (near Graaff-Reinet), Western District, Eastern Cape, South Africa (call)
Cape Batis (Batis capensis) [XC395718]
by vynbos from Chelinda Camp, Nyika National Park, Malawi (call)
Subspecies
Malawi Batis (Batis dimorpha) and Cape Batis (Batis capensis) (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) have been lumped into Batis capensis following Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993). This treatment is under review by the BirdLife Taxonomic Working Group.
Forms a superspecies with Reichenow's Batis (Batis reichenowi), Short-tailed Batis (Batis mixta), Dark Batis (Batis crypta) and Zululand 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 Short-tailed 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.