
Chinspot Batis
Batis molitor (Küster, 1836)
12–13 cmLength12 gWeight
The chinspot batis (Batis molitor) is a small songbird of the genus Batis in the family Platysteiridae which is a common and widespread species in the woodlands of southern Africa from the Eastern Cape north to 3°N in southern Kenya and Gabon.
Busiest months: July and October–November · Most records: South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania
Where and when it's recorded
Chinspot Batis has been recorded at 325 of the 8,171 birding hotspots we track, in 17 countries and regions.
Records by month Southern Hemisphere
Where it's recorded most
- Nairobi NPKenya768 records
- Kruger NP – Skukuza CampSouth Africa666 records
- Mkhuze GRSouth Africa569 records
More places
- Kruger NP – Satara CampSouth Africa567 records
- Lake Nakuru NPKenya349 records
- Bwindi-Impenetrable NP – RuhijaUganda332 records
- Arusha NPTanzania329 records
- Lake Mburo NPUganda310 records
- Kruger NP – Lower Sabie Rest CampSouth Africa304 records
- Karura ForestKenya261 records
Countries and regions with the most records
eBird records via GBIF up to 2024-12-31. A record means someone listed it; more records partly mean more birders, not more birds.
About
The chinspot batis (Batis molitor) is a small songbird of the genus Batis in the family Platysteiridae which is a common and widespread species in the woodlands of southern Africa from the Eastern Cape north to 3°N in southern Kenya and Gabon. It forms a superspecies with other rather similar members of the genus Batis.
Excerpt from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 · authors · Read more on Wikipedia
Questions
How big is the Chinspot Batis?
The Chinspot Batis is about 12–13 cm long and weighs around 12 g.
Where does the Chinspot Batis live?
Its breeding range: Africa: central, southern. It is most often recorded in South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania.
When is the best time to see the Chinspot Batis?
At the hotspots we track, it is recorded most in July, October and November (Southern Hemisphere).
Is the Chinspot Batis endangered?
The IUCN Red List classifies the Chinspot Batis as Least Concern.
What does the Chinspot Batis eat?
Main food: Insects & other invertebrates.
What family is the Chinspot Batis in?
It belongs to the family Wattle-eyes, Batises (Platysteiridae), order Passerines (Passeriformes).
At a glance
- Length
- 12–13 cm
- Weight
- 12 g
- Habitat
- Woodland
- Diet
- Insects & other invertebrates
- Lifestyle
- Perches in trees
- Migration
- Resident (barely migrates)
- Conservation
- Least Concern
More measurements
- Wing
- 60 mm
- Tail
- 43 mm
- Bill
- 15 mm
- Tarsus
- 18 mm
Averages from the AVONET dataset; length from field guides where available.
Range
Africa: central, southern
Breeding range, IOC World Bird List 15.2
Classification
- Order
- Passerines Passeriformes
- Family
- Wattle-eyes, Batises Platysteiridae
- Genus
- Batis
Other birds in the genus Batis
Rwenzori BatisBatis diops
Margaret's BatisBatis margaritae
Forest BatisBatis mixta
Dark BatisBatis crypta
Malawi BatisBatis dimorpha
Cape BatisBatis capensis
Woodwards' BatisBatis fratrum
Senegal BatisBatis senegalensis
Grey-headed BatisBatis orientalis
Pale BatisBatis soror
Pririt BatisBatis pririt
Eastern Black-headed BatisBatis minor
Download illustration
Free to use with credit: “Illustration: Bird Album (birdalbum.com)”. Drawn by AI from reference photos. ↗
Heard it but can't see it? Mingji identifies birds by sound and photo, on your phone.