Compact Weaver
Pachyphantes superciliosus
Has a typical weaver color scheme but an unusual shape: a chunky body, heavy bill, and short tail. Breeding males and females have a black mask, and the crown is yellow in males and black in females. Non-breeding birds are more distinctive than typical non-breeding weavers: buff below, with a dark crown and eye-stripe. Found in wet and grassy microhabitats within savanna, forest, scrub, and cultivation. Usually in small flocks. Along with typical weaver “chit” notes and sizzling, “radio static” song, also often gives a “cheep” call. Superficially similar to other weavers, but separated by distinctive shape.
Taxonomy
Some authorities, including Sibley & Monroe, and James Clements, place this species in the monotypic genus Pachyphantes. The construction of the nest of the compact weaver suggests an affinity with the thick-billed weaver Amblyospiza, which could put it in the subfamily Amblyospizinae.
- Scientific name
- Pachyphantes superciliosus
- Authority
- (Shelley, 1873)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Ploceidae
- Genus
- Pachyphantes
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Plain Antvireo
Dysithamnus mentalis
Antvireos, as the name, suggests, resemble vireos, with rather heavy bills and shortish tails. This species inhabits open understory in humid forest of tropical lowlands and foothills. Usually found as sluggish singles or pairs, at times moving with mixed-species feeding flocks. Male has gray face and breast with a broad dark mask. Female has rusty cap and plain face and breast with a whitish eyering.
Sooty Oystercatcher
Haematopus fuliginosus
Heavy-set shorebird with entirely black plumage and long, thick reddish bill. It has a distinctive fleshy red or yellow eye-ring and very thick pale-pink feet and legs. Exclusively coastal, where it can be found walking around on the edge of rocky headlands, on rock shelves, and along rocky beaches on small islands. Typically found in pairs or small groups. Its call is a loud slow whistled "chew", or when agitated a rapidly repeated "squeaky toy" call.
San Cristobal Mockingbird
Mimus melanotis
A fairly large gray-and-white songbird with a long tail, slightly curved bill, black mask, and blotchy gray vest. Endemic to Galápagos. Found only on San Cristóbal Island, where it is the only mockingbird. Adult may have a faint, dark mustache; juvenile has a heavily spotted breast. Uncommon and usually encountered alone or in pairs, in areas with scattered trees and cacti; tends to avoid tall, dense forest.
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