Bar-winged Weaver
Ploceus angolensis
A localized woodland weaver that has dark brown upperparts, yellow back and rump, obvious white wing bars, and pale underparts suffused with lemon on the belly and flanks. Juvenile is like adult but with a pale crown and bill. Restricted to mature evergreen (Cryptosepalum) dry forests and Miombo woodland where ‘Old Man’s Beard’ Usnea lichen is abundant; singles and pairs sometimes join mixed-species flocks and forage secretively for insects by creeping along branches like a nuthatch or creeper; does not nest colonially. Not very vocal, but occasionally calls a series of high-pitched squeaks, buzzes, and churrs.
Identification
The weaver is 13cm in length, with dark coloring on the top of the bird's body and light on the bottom. It has dark blackish-brown feathers covering the top of the head and continuing down onto the wings. The wings also contain white tips at the end of each feather, with the female containing much more white. In the middle of the wings, a yellow strip runs down the back of the weaver. The tail resembles the same blackish-brown coloring that is on the head and wings. The chin and belly have a white and yellow wash of color and the females are seen with a whiter coloring. The bill is black, the legs are brown, and the eye iris of the weaver is red.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Ploceus angolensis
- Authority
- (Barboza du Bocage, 1878)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Ploceidae
- Genus
- Ploceus
Range and habitat
Weavers live in mature evergreen (Cryptosepalum) forests and Miombo (Brachystegia) woodland which is moist enough to grow Usnealichen on the trees.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
The bar-winged weaver is a very poorly known species. It is very uncommon in the range of habitats it is said to be found in. The bird is not globally threatened and can be found in protected areas in Zambia.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Melanesian Kingfisher
Todiramphus tristrami
A Collared-type kingfisher found on a broad band of islands northeast of New Guinea, ranging from the Bismarck Archipelago east to Guadalcanal in the Solomons. Varies across range; note blue-green upperparts, pale collar, slender dark mask, and bicolored bill. Compare with Sacred Kingfisher; Melanesian averages darker and bluer above. Inhabits a range of island habitats, often in coastal regions but also well inland, especially in areas without other kingfishers. Listen for loud, harsh, far-carrying calls.
Black-faced Grassquit
Melanospiza bicolor
Small sparrowlike bird found in the Caribbean and northern South America. Males are dull olive above with a variable amount of black on the face and breast. Females are plain grayish-olive overall; note the small size, short tail, and pinkish bill and legs. Very similar to female Sooty Grassquit. Found in pairs or small groups in shrubby or grassy areas and forest edge, typically on or near the ground.
Olive-headed Greenbul
Arizelocichla striifacies
Large chunky, olive-green greenbul. There is geographic variation in the color of the eye (pale or dark) and the amount of yellow on the underparts. Throughout the range, shows a dark cheek with diagnostic fine pale stripes, though a good look is required to see these. Found in humid foothill and montane forest. Often joins mixed flocks with other birds. The song is a chatty, up-and-down series of low “chowp” notes and higher nasal notes. Similar to mountain greenbuls, but always separated by the more distinct cheek striping.
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