Bertram's Weaver
Ploceus bertrandi
Fairly large, chunky weaver. Both sexes have a pale eye, an olive back, and yellow underparts. Males have a black face mask, a yellow-orange top of the head, and a black spot on the back of the head. Females have an all-black head. Generally uncommon and local in montane woodland, scrub, and forest edge. Vocalizations are typical of weavers: “chet” notes and a sizzling, “radio static” song. Can be similar to Baglafecht Weaver, but always separated by the black rather than yellow throat.
Identification
Bertram's weaver (Ploceus bertrandi), sometimes called Bertrand's weaver, is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae. It is native to the Eastern Arc forests and mountains of Malawi. It is named after Bertram Lutley Sclater, the son of ornithologist Philip Lutley Sclater, who was a police commissioner in Malawi when Alexander Whyte discovered this species.
Taxonomy
Genus: Ploceus; Family: Ploceidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Ploceus bertrandi
- Authority
- (Shelley, 1893)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Ploceidae
- Genus
- Ploceus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
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Gorgeous little bird with a small range in the Marañon Valley of northwestern Peru and adjacent border areas of Ecuador (south of Zumba). Note the black mask, white eyebrow and throat, rich chestnut underparts, and white edges to wing feathers. Similar to Elegant Crescentchest, but wings lack chestnut patches and are more strongly marked with white; ranges do not overlap. Marañon Crescentchest inhabits arid scrub where it stays low, often on the ground. Typical song is a series of 20 or more evenly spaced clicks.

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