Rüppell's Weaver
Ploceus galbula
A fairly small and compact weaver of dry country. Breeding males are olive-green above and bright yellow below, with a rufous patch on the face and a red eye. Females, non-breeding males, and juveniles are much duller, brownish-olive overall with a dark eye and a pinkish bill. Found in dry thorn savanna and cultivated areas, often in small flocks. Females and non-breeding males can be separated from most similar weavers by their pale bill and overall size and shape; very similar to Vitelline Masked-Weaver, but separated by the dark eye. Vocalizations are typical of weavers: “chik” notes and a sizzling “radio static” song.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Ploceus galbula
- Authority
- Rüppell, 1840
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Ploceidae
- Genus
- Ploceus
Range and habitat
In the mountains of Degua Tembien in north Ethiopia, it can be observed in bushy and shrubby areas. It is found from Sudan to Somalia and extreme northern Kenya. It is also found in the south-western Arabian Peninsula.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Jubula lettii
Distinctive and unusual rainforest owl. Mostly rufous-brown, with long, shaggy ear tufts and plumes at the back of the head. The eyes vary from yellow to orange. The breast is rufous and the belly is buff with fine black streaks. Rare and local in the understory of lowland rainforest in thick areas, usually those with abundant lianas. The voice is unknown. Somewhat similar to some eagle-owls, but smaller and slimmer, with differently shaped drooping ear tufts.
Congo Moor Chat
Myrmecocichla tholloni
An unusual and distinctive Central African chat. Mostly gray-brown with a white throat, rump, and undertail and white wing patches that are conspicuous in flight. Found locally in grassland, usually in pairs or small groups. Hops along the ground or sits up on low perches. Structure and behavior similar to Sooty Chat, but gray-and-white plumage is completely different. The cheerful song alternates higher whistled notes and lower chirruping notes. This song is often given in a hovering display flight.
Black-eared Shrike-Babbler
Pteruthius melanotis
Colorful small bird with a cartoonish large-eyed appearance. Luminous yellow underparts, yellow-green upperparts, and dark rust-colored throat are present in both sexes, but female is slightly paler and not as strongly marked as the male. Overall can be very similar to Clicking and Trilling Shrike-Babblers, but lacks any reddish coloration on the forehead, has a more extensive silvery brow and nape, and is darker overall. Inhabits foothill and montane forests, where it joins mixed-species foraging flocks. Song is high-pitched, rapid, and repetitive: “tweeweeweeweeweeweewee.”
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