West African Batis
Batis occulta
West African Batis (Batis occulta) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The West African Batis (Batis occulta) is a member of the Platysteiridae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 9 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Platysteiridae Wattle-eyes, Batises
- Genus Batis
- Species occulta
Quick facts
- Weight
- 9 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Platysteiridae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The West African Batis is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open woodland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The West African Batis is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The West African Batis (Batis occulta) is a member of the Platysteiridae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF Sierra Leone to Gabon.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 9 g, with a wing length of about 4.9 cm and a tail of around 3.3 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 514,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the West African Batis?
The West African Batis is a very small bird that weighs around 9 g.
Where does the West African Batis live?
The West African Batis is found across Africa with a range covering AF Sierra Leone to Gabon, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the West African Batis belong to?
The West African Batis (Batis occulta) belongs to the Platysteiridae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the West African Batis eat?
The West African Batis is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the West African Batis migrate?
The West African Batis is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the West African Batis endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the West African Batis's range?
The West African Batis has a mapped global range of about 514,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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