Batis margaritae
Margaret's Batis (Batis margaritae) is a diminutive yet striking member of the Platysteiridae family, known for its active demeanor and distinctive plumage. Measuring approximately 10-12 cm (4-4.7 inches) in length and weighing a mere 8-12 grams, it exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism. Males boast a crisp black breast band, a grey crown, a prominent black mask contrasting with a white supercilium, and a black back adorned with a white wing bar, all set against pure white underparts. Females...
This species primarily inhabits subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, moist savannas, and gallery forests, typically found at elevations between 900 and 2,100 meters.
Margaret's Batis is an insectivore, feeding primarily on small insects such as beetles, ants, caterpillars, and flies, which it obtains by gleaning from vegetation and aerial sallying.
Margaret's Batis is an exceptionally active, diurnal species, typically observed singly or in pairs, occasionally joining small mixed-species foraging flocks. It employs an agile foraging strategy, sallying out from mid-canopy perches to snatch flying insects or gleaning prey from foliage and bra...
Margaret's Batis is endemic to the central African continent, maintaining a resident status across its distribution. Its primary breeding range encompasses a band stretching from southeastern Nigeria and Cameroon eastward through the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Rep...
Least Concern
- The species was named by ornithologist David Bannerman in honor of Margaret F. Boyd, wife of Captain Herbert W. Boyd, who collected specimens in central Africa. - Like other batises, it's known for its habit of "waggling" its tail from side to side, a subtle but distinctive behavioral trait. - ...