Sao Tome Weaver
Ploceus sanctithomae
A medium-sized weaver with white wingbars, endemic to São Tomé. Sexes look quite different: the male has olive-brown upperparts and a burnt-orange face and upper breast, while the female is more washed-out dull brown above and buff-white below. Found in pairs and small to large flocks that forage by themselves or with other species in any environment with trees, where they feed like nuthatches by clinging to branches and probing leaves, holes, and epiphytes in search of food. The warbler-like song starts with 4–5 clear high-pitched “steeeut” notes before accelerating into a strident trill; a common call is a sharp “chwet.” Other weavers on São Tomé lack wing bars.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Ploceus sanctithomae
- Authority
- (Hartlaub, 1848)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Ploceidae
- Genus
- Ploceus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
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