Baglafecht Weaver
Ploceus baglafecht
Large, chunky weaver with a long, heavy bill. Extremely variable geographically. Always shows a pale eye, some black on the face, a yellow breast, and yellow edges on the wing feathers. The color of the crown can be yellow, black, or olive. The back varies from plain olive to heavily-streaked olive to solid black. The belly can be yellow or white. Found mainly at middle and high elevations, in woodland, moist scrub, gardens, cultivation, and forest edge. Vocalizations are typical of weavers: “chet” notes and a sizzling, “radio static” song. Highly variable, and can be confused with several other weaver species, but can usually be identified by combination of black face, yellow throat, and large size.
Identification
The baglafecht weaver has a Total Body Length of 15 cm (5.9 in).<p>The adult male baglafecht weaver has a distinctive black mask which extends from the bill through the eye and onto the ear coverts contrasting with the bright yellow forehead, forecrown and throat. The upperparts are yellowish green with dark centres to the feathers creating a faint streaking. The underparts are bright yellow on the breast fading to white towards the vent. The tail is yellow washed dark brown. The bill is black and the eye is pale yellow.<p>The female baglafecht weaver lacks a mask but has dusky lores with yellowish-green cap, concolorous with the upperparts. In the non breeding plumage the mask is largely lost but there remains a dusky area around the eye, greyish brown on the upperparts, including the crown, with white washed buff underparts. Juveniles and immature birds do not have a mask on the dark-yellowish green head.<p>The nominate race and Emin's weaver assume a distinct non-breeding plumage, but Reichenow's weaver does not.
Taxonomy
The origin of the word baglafecht is something of a mystery and was coined by Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, probably from a local name in an Abyssinian language.<p>The following races are currently recognised:
- Scientific name
- Ploceus baglafecht
- Authority
- (Daudin, 1802)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Ploceidae
- Genus
- Ploceus
Range and habitat
It is found in central, eastern, and south-eastern Africa. It is found in forest edge, woodlands, gardens and towns.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The baglafecht weaver normally breeds singly rather than in colonies. The nests are loosely woven and usually placed in the foliage of trees or bushes. It is often aggressive to other birds and not shy of people.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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