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Weaver Wednesday 4 [265] - Weaver themes [2]: Sparrow-Weavers

2017-07-12 (790)


gravit8 Weaver Wednesday 4: Weaver themes (Series)

Sparrow-Weavers, genus Plocepasser

There are four species of sparrow-weavers. The sexes are similar and they are brownish above and white below with a prominent eye-stripe. They are found in dry savanna country. The diet is seeds and insects, taken mostly on the ground. They are found in small flocks.

Sparrow-weavers are monogamous, co-operative breeders. They build conspicuous nests of grass stems, usually in thorn trees. The nests have two entrances, but one is closed in breeding nests. The eggs are whitish, cream, or pinkish and usually marked.

White-browed Sparrow-weaver Plocepasser mahali
Donaldson-Smith's Sparrow-weaver Plocepasser donaldsoni
Chestnut-mantled Sparrow-weaver Plocepasser rufoscapulatus
Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-weaver Plocepasser superciliosus

White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
adult
Donaldson-Smith's Sparrow-Weaver
Chestnut-mantled Sparrow-Weaver
Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver
Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver

Sparrow-Weaver map
Ranges of sparrow-weavers

The range of the White-browed Sparrow-Weaver overlaps with each of the other three species, while the other 3 species do not overlap with each other (although Donaldson-Smith's Sparrow-Weaver and Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver nearly meet in Kenya and Ethiopia).

Yellow - White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
Red - Donaldson-Smith's Sparrow-Weaver
Light Green - Chestnut-mantled Sparrow-Weaver
Light Blue - Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver