Maxwell's Black Weaver
Ploceus albinucha
An entirely black forest weaver with piercing white eyes found in low-elevation and foothill forests, in small groups or with mixed-species flocks, sometimes with other species of weaver. Occasionally forms much larger groups, and will sometimes nest in large single-species or mixed-species colonies. Birds in the western part of the range have a silver nape, but birds in the east are wholly black. Western populations are nearly identical to co-occurring populations of Vieillot’s Weaver, but have a thinner, pointier bill and prefer more forested habitats. Vocalizations include dry chatters and soft mechanical rasps, sometimes given in complex combinations.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Ploceus albinucha
- Authority
- (Barboza du Bocage, 1876)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Ploceidae
- Genus
- Ploceus
Range and habitat
It is sparsely distributed across the African tropical rainforest.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Clay-colored Thrush
Turdus grayi
Drab, uniformly brown thrush with slightly warmer belly. Dull yellowish bill and very faint streaks on throat. Very common and widespread throughout Central America; limited U.S. range. Found in a variety of shrubby wooded habitats, towns, and parks. Unique color and blandness makes this rarity unlikely to be confused with other species. Tends to stay on the ground or in low vegetation, either singly or in pairs. Song is a varied series of phrases similar to a mockingbird.
Pink-breasted Lark
Calendulauda poecilosterna
An unusual lark with a slim bill and pinkish-brown markings on the face and underparts. Unlike many larks, shows no white in the outer tail or rufous in the wing in flight. Found in dry savanna. More likely to be confused with a pipit than other larks, but separated by the pinkish plumage. The song is usually given from the top of a bush, and often repeated: a simple, tinkling series of high notes that accelerates and drops in pitch.
Xingu Scythebill
Campylorhamphus multostriatus
A brown, tree-climbing bird with a strongly curved bill. Appears small-headed; plumage is mostly rufous-brown with buffy streaking on head and neck. Found in tall rainforest, where it is uncommon and locally distributed; often occurs in areas with extensive bamboo thickets. Generally shy and rather difficult to observe. Forages at middle and upper levels, using extraordinary bill to probe into deep bark crevices, bromeliads, and broken bamboo stems. Regularly follows mixed-species flocks. Song is a descending and accelerating series of strident whistles. Curved bill should immediately distinguish this species from other woodcreepers in range. Restricted to a small area of eastern Amazonia, south of the Amazon River, between the Xingu and Tocantins Rivers.
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