Fernando Po batis

The Fernando Pó batis, also known as the Bioko batis, (Batis poensis) is a species of bird in the family Platysteiridae. It is endemic to the island of Bioko in Equatorial Guinea.

Fernando Po batis
bird skin specimen of Batis poensis

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Platysteiridae
Genus: Batis
Species:
B. poensis
Binomial name
Batis poensis
Alexander, 1903

Description

The Fernando Pó batis is small, restless flycatcher type bird with a mainly black and white plumage. The head and mantle are glossy blue-black with a small white loral spot, which occasionally extends back to create a narrow supercilium. The back is blackish grey with small white spots on the rump and lower back. The wings are black with a white stripe, the tail is black with narrow white lines on the outer tail. The male has white underparts with a black breast band. Females are similar to males but are duller above with a chestnut rather than black breast band. Juveniles are similar to females but look dingier.[2] They are 10·5 cm long and weigh 8·8–9·4g.[3]

Distribution and habitat

Endemic to the island of Bioko, formerly known as Fernando Pó, where it inhabits the lowland forest up to the ecotone with the montane forest, at 1350m.[2]

Habits

The Fernando Pó batis is restless and shy, highly arboreal and forages within the canopy of tall trees. It forages for insects by gleaning foliage, by flycatching or by picking prey off leaves while briefly hovering. Large insects with hard exoskeletons are rubbed and hit against a branch before being dismembered. It will join other species in mixed foraging flocks. Little is known about the breeding biology but fledged juveniles have been seen in October. The nest is built in the outer fork of a branch by both birds in the pair, using bark strips and fibres.[2]

Taxonomy

The Fernando Pó batis is some times lumped with the West African batis Batis occulta.[3]

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References
  1. BirdLife International (2012). "Batis poensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Harris, Tony; Franklin, Kim (2000). Shrikes and Bush-shrikes. Christopher Helm. pp. 317–318. ISBN 0-7136-3861-3.
  3. "Bioko Batis (Batis poensis)". Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions. Retrieved 2013-11-03.
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