Red-headed Weaver
Anaplectes rubriceps
The only weaver with a slender red-to-orange bill. The breeding male is geographically variable, but all races have diagnostic red heads. The female and non-breeding male have mostly plain gray or brown upperparts, red or yellow in the wing, and pale underparts. Pairs occupy broadleaf woodland and moist savanna, where they frequently join mixed-species flocks, foraging for insects by diligently searching leaves and branches. The species is often detected by its distinctive, high-pitched insect-like squeaks and chips that are incorporated into a typical weaver call and song. The much smaller Red-billed Quelea differs from Red-headed Weaver by having a streaky back and occurring in large flocks.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Anaplectes rubriceps
- Authority
- (Sundevall, 1850)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Ploceidae
- Genus
- Anaplectes
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The red-headed weaver searches for insects on leaves and branches either alone or in pairs. It can be found searching for food on leaves and at the tips of branches in bushes, saplings, and both small and large trees. The red-headed weaver usually hangs upside-down and uses its bill to pry open clusters of dead leaves and will probe bark to find insects. It also catches aerial insects such as alate termites and moths, which it beats against a surface until the wings break off. Additionally, it pecks at spider nests to extract prey. It is also known to take some plant material, such as acacia seeds, Premna fruit, and berries of the mistletoes Tapinanthus leendertziae and T. dodoneifolius. In addition, it has been observed feeding on nectar from flowers of various plants, including Bombax costatum, Vitellaria paradoxa, and Carissa edulis. On rare occasions, it has been observed feeding on drying meat hanging in the open air. The stomach contents of this bird have included bugs, beetles, mantids, and alate termites, while spiders and tiny snails have been fed to chicks along with fruit pulp.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Yellow-footed Honeyguide
Melignomon eisentrauti
Medium-sized honeyguide with a plain face, a slim pale bill, yellow legs, and large white patches in the outer tail. Found in the middle levels and canopy of humid forest at low and middle elevations. The distinctive vocalization is a series of around a dozen rising “sveeya” notes. The series slows down and becomes slightly lower-pitched at the end. Very similar to Zenker’s Honeyguide, but there is only minor overlap in range, and Yellow-footed is paler overall with more white in the tail. Similar to other honeyguides, but separated by the slim bill and the yellow legs. Separated from most greenbuls by the white in the tail, and from Honeyguide and Sjöstedt's Greenbuls by the smaller size and shorter tail.
West African Seedeater
Crithagra canicapilla
A medium-sized brown seedeater. Note the boldly marked face with a dark crown, a white eyebrow, and a broad dark-brown patch through the eye. The underparts lack streaking, but may show some brown blotching. Found in woodland, scrub, and cultivated areas. Often in pairs or small flocks. Similar to Reichard's Seedeater, but there is little overlap in range, and West African is easily separated by the unstreaked underparts. Somewhat similar to White-rumped Seedeater, but lacks a white rump, and has a strong facial pattern and unstreaked underparts. Gives a pretty, musical up-and-down song of whistles and trills which also sometimes includes imitations of other birds.
Rufous Cacholote
Pseudoseisura unirufa
Large cinnamon-colored ovenbird with piercing yellow eyes and a long gray crest. Found in gallery forest, near marshes and woodlands; often near human habitations. Mostly forages on the ground, but also in trees; builds a large stick nest. Song is a loud duet: an accelerating series ending with a rattle mixed with “chew” notes.
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