Ibadan Malimbe male (L), female (R), figure from Elgood 1958a
Ibadan Malimbe male, figure from Mackworth 1973a
Ibadan Malimbe distribution, type locality circled
Introduction
The Ibadan Malimbe was first collected, and formally described, by John H Elgood, an English Professor of Zoology.
Elgood first observed a pair of this malimbe at the University College, Ibadan, on 18 Dec 1951, and realised that it was different to the known species of malimbes. In 1958 he obtained specimens of this malimbe and was able to describe it as a new species.
An adult female was obtained in a garden in Ibadan on 31 Jan 1958 by JH Elgood. An adult male was obtained at University College, Ibadan on 28 Feb 1958 by JH Elgood. Another male was found dead in an Ibadan garden on 15 May 1958 by JH Sutton.
Two of the specimens had vegetable matter in their stomachs, consisting mainly of pieces of Oil-palm fruits. The third specimen also had many insect fragments, especially the wings of alate tailor-ants.
Elgood also described a nest belonging to the Ibadan Malimbe. The nest was of the "inverted sock" type with an entrance tunnel about 30 cm long. It was placed near the top of a Bombax tree, some 20 m above the ground.
The Ibadan Malimbe was first illustrated by Elgood 1958a as a line drawing of a pair of birds. This was followed by a line drawing by Elgood 1964a where the breast band of the female was correctly made wider. The first colour illustration was of a male, by Mackworth 1973a.
Scientific citation
Malimbus ibadanensis Elgood 1958a, Ibis 100 p.622, Ibadan, Eastern Nigeria.
Meaning of names
ibadanensis, Named after the city of Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
First English name
Ibadan Weaver (Button 1964a).
Alternate names
Ibadan Weaver, Elgood's Malimbe.
Collector
JH Elgood.
Date collected
28 Feb 1958.
Locality collected
University College, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Type specimens
The types are in the British Museum (holotype BM 1958.9.2).
Weaver Watch
