Almost a month ago exactly, Ranger Jess Shillaw spotted the nest of a Chinspot Batis nestled in the branches of a Milkwood tree on the banks of the Manyelethi River. I have to give her full credit here, as the focus at the time was actually on the Tsalala lioness who was with her daughter in the river below, and the Nkuhuma pride was lying only about 60 metres away, so to be aware enough to spot this most camouflaged of nests was good work.
Or maybe Jess hadn’t even seen the lions.
I don’t actually know.
The first sighting of the Batis nest. The vague form of the Tsalala lioness can be made out in the background, below and to the right of the female batis.
The female (identified by the chestnut spot on her chin) was brooding the eggs and the male (black band across his chest) would come in and feed her a morsel every few minutes.
Anyway, the fact is that we’ve gone back to this nest multiple times since it was found to check on the progress of what at first were only eggs (we couldn’t see them but knew they were there from the fact that the mother was brooding), but are now two rapidly growing chicks.
I’ll be honest and admit that we never hold much hope for such small and vulnerable creatures like this in their infant stage. The nest is right out in the open and there are any number of predators that wouldn’t think twice about snapping up two tiny chicks as a meal. Yet their incredible camouflage has kept them alive all this time, and with them only being confined to the nest for just under three weeks after hatching, it’s starting to look like they might actually make it.
Small caterpillars, moths and spiders are what are fed to the batis chicks, although I’m not sure why only these specific invertebrates are chosen.
This sequence of photos was taken about a week ago when the chicks hadn’t opened their eyes yet. It’s amazing how big a food item such a small chick can fully engulf.
Both adults take it in turns bringing food in.
The chicks have now opened their eyes and are practically bulging out of the nest, and when the female broods them for added protection, there is barely room for her and the two chicks. Although the chicks still look downy and certainly can’t fly yet, they develop incredibly quickly at this stage, and in another week will probably be fluttering their wings in anticipation of their first flights.
We’ll try be there when they do…
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It would be awesome if you could photo the first flights! Good luck!
Fantastic to follow this family.
Lovely birds! There’s no species alike in other parts of the planet I suppose
Amazing to follow this family’s progress!!!
Just wonderful, these birds!
Wow James, great blog. Takes me back! You see, as an ex-guide I was overcome with acute nest algia reading this.
Dad jokes already?
Speak for yourself, ho nestly.
Lol!
There’s no better viewing than new life! Enjoyed the short video.
James, I loved video🤗
You really captured some great footage of these cute little birds! So clear!
Such a lovely story about these beautiful little birds.
Oh wow, it took quite a few trips to Africa to appreciate the sumptuous bird 🦅 life , simply because for many of us birds are a daily occurrence .
For those chicks camouflage and quick growth are their method of defence. Stunning spot
Oh and super photography as well, bird photos are much harder than elephants 🐘 lions 🦁 or leopards 🐆
Good Luck with catching their first attempts at flight, that would be fantastic to see. Have really enjoyed seeing these guys on your weekly videos
How quickly they have grown since your last video ! ….even in their later stage of growth their camouflage is incredible. I wish them luck and you, in capturing their onward journey !🙏🏻
James, I believe I got the answer to my question on your previous post about the batis!! Just catching up on your posts!!!
Such a great story! Thanks for keeping us updated!!
James, We love all the attention you are giving to the birds! The video is just stellar!