White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
Plocepasser mahali
A large, boldly patterned brown-and-white sparrow-weaver. The bold white eyebrow, wingbars, and rump are striking. Family groups are resident in arid thorn scrub and drier broadleaf woodland, where they make messy nests in trees and forage mostly on the ground for insects and seed. The song is high-pitched, varied, and metallic, sounding like a computer-generated laser gun. The similar Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver differs from White-browed Sparrow-Weaver by having a brown (not white) rump and a chestnut (not dark brown) head with a different pattern.
Identification
It ranges from 17 to 19 cm (6.7 to 7.5 in) in length and is characterized by a broad, white eyebrow stripe and white rump visible in flight. While the male white-browed sparrow-weaver sports a black bill, the female's bill is horn-colored (light gray); that of the juvenile is pinkish-brown. In Zimbabwe, the white-browed sparrow-weaver shows faint brown spotting across its white breast.<p>The white-browed sparrow-weaver may emit either a brief chik-chick or a loud, fluid, cheoop-preeoo-chop whistle.<p>The yellow-throated petronia has a pinkish brown (not black) bill, a buff (not white) eyebrow stripe, black (not pink) feet, and yellow shading at the bottom of a white throat. Additionally, the white-browed sparrow-weaver is larger than the yellow-throated petronia. Unlike the white-browed sparrow-weaver, the yellow-throated petronia may be found in broad-leaved woodland.
Taxonomy
During his expedition to the interior of southern Africa in 1834–35, Andrew Smith collected specimens of the white-browed sparrow weaver at the Modder River, which he described in 1836, giving it the scientific name Plocepasser mahali.<p>Smith did not provide an explanation for the species epithet mahali, but is clear it is not a Latin name. Probably it is derived from the vernacular name for the bird in Setswana mogale or from the Sesotho word mohale, a brave or fierce person, which suggests the bird's name may refer to its angry scolding.<p>Other common names used in English include black-billed mahali weaverbird, black-billed sparrow weaver, Kismayu sparrow-weaver, stripe-breasted sparrow-weaver, white-browed weaver bird, and white-crowned weaver bird. In kikamba its called ngõsõ.<p>There are four recognized subspecies of the white-browed sparrow-weaver:
- Scientific name
- Plocepasser mahali
- Authority
- Smith, A, 1836
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Ploceidae
- Genus
- Plocepasser
Range and habitat
The white-browed sparrow-weaver is found in greatest numbers in north-central southern Africa. While this species most densely populates dry regions with woodland or wooded grassland at northern South Africa, its range includes Botswana, northern and central Namibia, and western Zimbabwe. It is seen very often in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia and southern Malawi. Populations may be found as far north as Ethiopia. Populations are sedentary.<p>This species nests in colonies along thornveld and scrubby, dry riverbanks.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Breeding has been observed year round, but occurs mainly in warmer months. Year round, groups of the white-browed sparrow-weaver are active and nest-building. Groups of ten to sixty inverted-U-shaped nests of dry grass appear in the outside limbs of trees, although only several are used for breeding or roosting. While breeding nests have only one entrance, roosting nests have an entrance located at each of the two nest extremities. Research has shown that, throughout a region, nests are located at the leeward side of a tree. This behavior preserves a greater number of intact nests for breeding and roosting. White-browed sparrow-weaver nests are sometimes used by other birds, such as the red-headed finch and ashy tit.<p>Different populations of this species vary in their ability to regulate their body temperature when there are changes in air temperature. White-browed sparrow-weavers from hotter and drier parts of the desert maintained higher body temperatures and let their bodies heat up comparatively more during the warmest part of the day compared to birds from a milder semi-desert site. This daily heterothermy means that desert birds do not need to use as much evaporative cooling and therefore can conserve body water. Within the population of semi-desert birds, there were also seasonal changes in daily heterothermy, with higher heterothermy during the dry season compared to the wet season. When air temperatures are very high, white-browed sparrow weavers also spend less time foraging in direct sunlight and more time in shaded areas.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark
Eremopterix griseus
A small, stocky bird with a heavy, finch-like bill. Males have a gray head that contrasts with a black eye-stripe, and black on the collar, throat, and underparts. Females are pale brown with weak streaks on the head, back, and underparts. Similar to Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark, but Ashy-crowned males are told apart by the gray on the head. Females are difficult to distinguish. Inhabits dry scrub, fields, and rocky country. The song is often given in display flight, and consists of monotone whistles interspersed with buzzy notes.
Western Hooded Pitta
Pitta sordida
Widespread and beautiful, this jewel of a bird bounces about on the shaded forest floor like a luminous ball, where it can be surprisingly difficult to spot. If seen, note emerald-green body, black head, ruby-red lower belly, and powder-blue wing patch. Birds from the Himalayas east to much of mainland Southeast Asia have a warm brown crown stripe; these birds are migratory, and may turn up in unexpected places, such as city parks. Listen for loud, barking song in a range of wooded habitats, from deep forest to plantations. Formerly grouped together with several other closely related species as “Hooded Pitta.”
Glossy Flowerpiercer
Diglossa lafresnayii
This glossy-black flowerpiercer has a distinctive silvery patch on the shoulder. Most similar to Black Flowerpiercer, which is smaller and lacks the shoulder patch in most of its range (although in east Andes in Colombia, Black Flowerpiercer has a small gray shoulder patch). Sexes similar. Also note the typical flowerpiercer bill: uniquely upswept with a hooked tip. Found in the Andes from western Venezuela to northern Peru from around 2,700–3,700 m. Typically seen singly or in pairs foraging at all levels in stunted forest and shrubby woodlands. Usually found in more humid areas than Black Flowerpiercer. Sometimes follows mixed-species flocks.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.