Rüppell's Weaver, different races figure from Reichenbach 1863
Rüppell's Weaver distribution, type locality circled
Introduction
The Rüppell's Weaver was formally described by Wilhelm Peter Eduard Simon Rüppell, a German naturalist and explorer, especially in north-east Africa. Rüppell was the first naturalist to travel through Ethiopia and many birds are named after him.
Rüppell thought this species was an oriole, hence the latin name he chose (see below). He described a male, female and young bird, finding Rüppell's Weaver to be a common species in the Modat valley on the coast of Eritrea, where he collected the specimens. On Rüppell's third journey to Africa, in 1831-34, he travelled to the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, and along the coast of the Red Sea to Massawa (Steinheimer 2005). It is unclear where the Modat valley lies, and the area of Massawa on the coast is considered the modern type locality for the Rüppell's Weaver. Rüppell stayed in this area a few months at the end of 1831 and into early 1832.
The first illustration of a Rüppell's Weaver is a colour painting in Ruppell 1840. The next illustration is by Reichenbach (1863), also of an adult male.
Scientific citation
Ploceus galbula Ruppell 1840 Neue Wirbelt., Vogel, p.92, pl. 32 (fig. 2); Modat Valley, Eritrea.
Meaning of names
galbula - Latin: a small yellowish bird (dim. of galbina, a small yellow bird; galbus, yellow).
First English name
The Oriole Weawer (Reichenbach 1863).
Alternate names
Canary Weaver, The Oriole Weawer.
Collector
Eduard Rüppell.
Date collected
1831 or 1832.
Locality collected
Modat Valley [=Massaua area], Eritrea.
Type specimens
One specimen is known to be in the Senckenberg Museum in Frankfurt (specimen 12644), but more types should still exist.
Weaver Watch
