Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver

Bubalornis niger

A large, chunky, thickset weaver. The male is chocolate-brown with red legs and a hefty vermilion bill; the female and juvenile are paler and streaky underneath, with paler bills. In flight the species shows striking white wing patches. Family groups prefer dry woodlands with large trees that hold their sprawling and messy communal nests. Buffalo-Weavers forage on the ground in small to large groups, often in association with starlings and other birds, searching for insects, seeds, and fruit. Their odd electronic-sounding vocalizations often draw attention to them. The similar White-billed Buffalo-Weaver does not have a red or pinkish-orange bill.

Identification

The body length of full grown red-billed buffalo weavers is 21 to 25 cm (8.3 to 9.8 in) and body mass averages 82.1 g (2.90 oz) in males and 70.7 g (2.49 oz) in females. This may the largest of the Ploceidae (weaver birds). Visually the sexes are not greatly differentiated from one another. The red-billed buffalo weaver is differentiated from the white-billed buffalo weaver (Bubalornis albirostris) by the color of its bill.<p>The feathers of the male are dark chocolate brown in color. The front wing edges and the wing tips are flecked with white. His bill is a shade of red. The eyes are brown and the feet are reddish brown. The female's body is also colored dark chocolate brown, without the white flecks on the wings. However, her chin and throat feathers include broad white colored hems. Her eyes are dark brown and her legs light brown. Adolescent birds are a lighter shade of brown.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Bubalornis niger
Authority
Smith, A, 1836
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Ploceidae
Genus
Bubalornis

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

The red-billed buffalo weaver is currently listed as a least concern (LC) on the IUCN status. While the global population of this species has not been estimated, this bird is considered common and the population is stable. There are currently no programs or organizations established to monitor and maintain the LC status of the bird.<p>Predators of the red-billed buffalo weaver include hawks, eagles, snakes, and baboons. They prey on both adult and adolescent birds.

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Antarctic Tern

Antarctic Tern

Sterna vittata

A light gray medium-sized tern. Black cap extends to bill in breeding plumage. Bill and legs red. In non-breeding birds, cap reduced to just the area behind the eye, bill has dull pinkish color, and underparts are white. Breeds in the circumpolar subantarctic region. Generally known to stay close to their breeding sites. Migrating Arctic Tern could occur in the same area, but not in breeding plumage, and would show more prominent black markings on outer primaries. White-fronted Tern can be distinguished by its larger body, lighter coloring, and longer, thinner, all-black bill.

Gorgeted Puffleg

Gorgeted Puffleg

Eriocnemis isabellae

Rare and endangered hummingbird found in the Andes of southwestern Colombia. Accessing its tiny known range is difficult, and only a few intrepid and lucky birders have seen one. Male looks quite dark, but has a glittering blue throat bordered on both sides by iridescent green as well as white leg puffs and a blue vent. Female is mostly green with a buffy tinge to the underparts, faint whisker marks, and smaller leg puffs; she is similar to female Glowing Puffleg, but typically has a fainter throat patch and less buff on the neck. Inhabits stunted cloud forest at high elevations.

Red-headed Tanager

Red-headed Tanager

Piranga erythrocephala

Fairly small tanager of pine-oak and tropical forest in foothills and highlands of Mexico; endemic. Found mainly in the canopy, usually in pairs or small groups that sometimes join mixed-species feeding flocks. Distinctive male has brilliant red head (with small black mask), greenish upperparts, and yellow underparts. Female is rather drab greenish and yellow overall with dusky gray cheeks. Female looks similar to female Hepatic Tanager but much smaller with smaller, stubbier bill and paler belly. Calls are high twitters similar to Bushtit.

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