Pririt Batis Batis pririt Scientific name definitions

11–12 cm; 7·5–14 g. Small flycatcher-like and shrike-like bird with contrasting black, grey and white (and some orange-yellow) colours. Male is grey dorsally, with white superciliary stripe, black mask from lores back to ear-coverts and side of neck; white wingstripe; tail black , outer web and tip of outer feathers white; white below, black breastband, grey thighs, black marks on flanks; iris pale yellow; bill and legs black. Distinguished from similar B. molitor by somewhat paler crown, dark flanks marks. Female differs from male in having slight olivaceous tinge above, orange or rich yellow-ochre on chin, throat, breast, this colour fading towards flanks. Immature is like female but more brownish, colour on ventral side more diffuse and mottled. Race <em>affinis</em> differs from nominate in having secondaries broadly edged white.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Acacia thornveld; also dry woodland and tamarisk (Tamarix) stands along watercourses, and in savanna (grassland) with trees. Lowlands; does not ascend mountains (gap in distribution in the Karoo corresponds to a high-lying and almost treeless area).

Mostly resident. Some N-S movement in SW Cape Province, where it arrives during austral winter; occasionally found E of breeding range during winter and drought periods. Does not necessarily return to same territory each year; able to move to regions where conditions suitable for breeding.

Diet insects, including large lepidopterans. Forages in middle and lower layers of bushes and trees, seldom higher than 5 m. Very active. Hover-gleans; also hawks for insects in short flights.

A long series of whistles. Repeats same note slowly twice or three times, sometimes longer series of up to 40; these are mournful loud piping notes, falling slightly in pitch from beginning to end.

Season mainly Oct–Jan, vaguely related to rainfall pattern; may breed opportunistically at any time of year. Territorial, defends large territory. Nest a small cup of plant material bound with spider webs, decorated with bark, placed usually in shade 1–3 m above ground on horizontal branch; blends very well with branch on which constructed. Clutch 1–4 eggs, usually 2, white, cream or greenish-white, spotted and blotched with brown and grey; incubation period 17 days; in great heat, female observed to cool nestlings by crouching above them and fanning with wings; young remain in nest for 17 days. Nests parasitized by Klaas’s Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx klaas).

Not globally threatened. Locally common. Virtual absence from arid woodland on the hartveld of E Botswana is remarkable, particularly because this species occupies similar habitat in NC Namibia. Occurs in the alien mesquite (Prosopis) thickets in the Karoo. Probably benefits from bush encroachment in response to overgrazing in Kalahari basin.