Rwenzori batis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rwenzori batis |
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| specimen at Nairobi National Museum | |
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Platysteiridae |
| Genus: | Batis |
| Species: |
B. diops
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| Binomial name | |
| Batis diops Jackson, 1905
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The Rwenzori batis (Batis diops) is a special bird found only in a specific part of Africa called the Albertine Rift montane forests. It lives high up in the mountains, usually between 1,340 and 3,300 meters (about 4,400 to 10,800 feet) above sea level. This little bird is known for its striking black and white feathers.
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About the Rwenzori Batis
The Rwenzori batis is a small, very active bird. It is part of a group called Old World flycatchers. These birds are known for catching insects in the air.
What Does It Look Like?
This bird has dark bluish-black feathers on its back and head. It has a white stripe along its wing. There is also a small white spot near its eye. Its belly is mostly white. A shiny bluish-black band crosses its chest. It also has a black spot on its chin and black feathers on its upper legs. The tail is black with white tips on the feathers. The outer tail feathers have white edges.
Both male and female Rwenzori batis birds look quite similar. However, males usually have yellow eyes. Females have sometimes been seen with orangey-red eyes. Young birds look like adults. But their feathers have a slightly reddish-brown color. The Rwenzori batis is about 11 to 12 centimeters (4.3 to 4.7 inches) long. It weighs between 8 and 15.5 grams (0.28 to 0.55 ounces).
The Bird's Call
The Rwenzori batis has a unique call. It makes a slow, low-pitched whistle. People have described this sound as both "ventriloqual" (meaning it's hard to tell where it's coming from) and "eerie." The bird repeats this whistle every 2 to 4 seconds. This call helps them mark their territory.
Where the Rwenzori Batis Lives
The Rwenzori batis lives in the Albertine Rift region of Africa. This area stretches from the Rwenzori Mountains in the north to Mount Kabobo in the south. It has also been seen in western Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi.
Its Mountain Home
This bird prefers to live in mountain evergreen forests. It likes altitudes from 1,340 to 3,300 meters (about 4,400 to 10,800 feet). It especially likes dense African alpine bamboo forests. It also lives in other closed forests on ridges. Sometimes, it can be found in mixed forests and scrubland. In 2004, the bird was recorded in several national parks. These include Virunga National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Volcanoes National Park.
Behaviour and Life Cycle
Not much is known about how the Rwenzori batis breeds. It is a shy and active bird. It moves constantly but often stays hidden among the leaves. It usually looks for food in the middle parts of the forest. This is about 2 to 6 meters (6.6 to 19.7 feet) above the ground. It also searches in the lower branches of tall trees.
What It Eats
The Rwenzori batis eats insects. It catches them by making short flights, which is called "flycatching." However, it probably gets most of its food by picking insects off leaves and small branches.
Family Life
It seems that the male bird regularly feeds the female. This happens when she is sitting on the eggs or caring for the young. The nests and their contents have never been officially described by scientists.
Family Tree of the Rwenzori Batis
The Rwenzori batis belongs to a bird family called Platysteiridae. This family also includes other birds like the Margaret's batis, the Cape batis, and the Forest batis. The Rwenzori batis seems to live in higher mountain areas. It takes the place of the Ituri batis in these higher altitudes.
 | Emma Amos |
 | Edward Mitchell Bannister |
 | Larry D. Alexander |
 | Ernie Barnes |
