Weaver species

Choose different species from drop-down list and press 'Go' button. See Full species list.

White-browed Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser mahali

IUCN: Least concern     Discovery: 038

Categories: Plocepasser, long tube, cooperative, acacias, gum, Gymnogene, nectar, Nest use,
News items about species

Discovery

White-browed Sparrow-weaver
White-browed Sparrow-weaver head
figure from Swainson 1837
White-browed Sparrow-weaver
White-browed Sparrow-weaver,
figure from Smith 1841
White-browed Sparrow-weaver map
White-browed Sparrow-weaver
distribution, type locality circled

Introduction

The White-browed Sparrow-weaver was collected and formally described by Andrew Smith, a Scottish surgeon, explorer, ethnologist and zoologist. Smith organised an expedition to the interior and he travelled to near the Botswana border in 1834-35, collecting many new birds, reptiles, mammals and other taxa along the way.

Smith described the White-browed Sparrow-weaver from between the Orange River and the Tropic (Smith 1836) and later he described the locality as 'upon a tree on one of the tributary streams of the great northern branch of the Orange River' (Smith 1841). Smith crossed the Vaal, Modder, Black Modder and the Riet rivers (Smith 1836: 15) on his journey between Thaba Nchu and Philippolis on 4-17 December 1834. From his diary, it is clear that Smith moved east from Thaba Nchu until he reached the Modder River (Oschadleus 2007). He stayed here a few days collecting specimens, including the White-browed Sparrow-weaver, then moved south-east to Philippolis (Kirby 1939).

Macdonald (1957) correctly restricted the type-locality to the Modder River near Bloemfontein. Clancey (1957, 1959) incorrectly changed this to the confluence of the Modder and Riet rivers, because he thought that Smith did not cross the Modder River near Bloemfontein. Clancey based his supposition on the map in Kirby (1940) where the upper reaches of the Modder River are not shown, but he did not read the diary.

The first illustration of a White-browed Sparrow-weaver was published by Swainson 1837, based on a specimen Smith sent to England. The first colour illustration was published by Andrew Smith in 1841 in his well known work, Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa, and the White-browed Sparrow-weaver was painted by George Henry Ford.

Scientific citation

Plocepasser Mahali Smith 1836; Rep. Exped. Centr. Africa, p.51; 'country between the Orange River and the Tropic' = Modder River, Thabanchu, South Africa.

Meaning of names

mahali - no explanation given by Smith, not a Latin name, probably based on an African name.
Skead (1967) noted that it was probably named after the Tswana word mogale or Sotho word Mohale which mean a brave or fierce person, suggesting that the bird may be named for its angry scolding.

First English name

The Mahali Philagrus (Reichenbach 1863).

Alternate names

Black-billed Mahali Weaverbird, Black-billed Sparrow Weaver, Kismayu Sparrow-Weaver, Stripe-breasted Sparrow Weaver, White-browed Weaver Bird, White-crowned Weaver-Bird.

Collector

Andrew Smith.

Date collected

6 Dec 1834.

Locality collected

Modder River, near Thaba Nchu, Free State, South Africa.

Type specimens

There are at least 3 syntype specimens in different museums: BMNH 1845.7.6.132, ANSP 14256 and ANSP 14257.

The above is based on Weaver Wednesday 2, a weekly series about the discovery of each weaver species.
This species text first appeared as Weaver Wednesday [155] - Discovery [38]: White-browed Sparrow-weaver on 2015-06-02

1. Basic biology

White-browed Sparrow-weaver
White-browed Sparrow-weaver adult male
White-browed Sparrow-weaver
White-browed Sparrow-weaver, race pectoralis

Identification. The White-browed Sparrow-Weaver is a large brown and white weaver that is fairly common. It has a conspicuous broad white stripe from above the eye backwards, and 2 prominent white wing-bars and wing edgings. In flight, a large white patch on the rump and uppertail-coverts is visible.

White-browed Sparrow-weaver
White-browed Sparrow-weaver
adult female

Distribution. The White-browed Sparrow-Weaver the most widespread of the sparrow-weavers, occurring in southern and eastern Africa. It has four subspecies:
P. m. mahali in southern Africa (red on the map).
P. m. ansorgei in northern Namibia to Angola (green on the map). This race has broad white tips on the tail feathers.
P. m. pectoralis from Zimbabwe and Zambia to central Tanzania (blue on the map). This race has a reddish-brown back, and the breast feathers have dark triangular centres (see photo above right and here);
P. m. melanorhynchus from northern Tanzania to Sudan (pink on the map). This race has earth-brown upperparts, and black marks on the breast sides.

The White-browed Sparrow-Weaver appears to have increased its range and abundance in many areas (read more here and Kruger). For example, in the Eastern Cape it was first seen on Rookwood farm in the 1980s, and since 2000 has several colonies (see sparrow-weaver colonies on Rookwood here). This species has probably increased in number of nests at Barberspan (see here). The species seems to be increasing in Kenya, e.g. it was described as a new-comer to Ngulia in the past 2 years (VM 1977) and is increasing in Nairobi.

Habitat. The White-browed Sparrow-Weaver inhabits mopane and acacia savanna, with <600 mm annual rainfall. It is also found in riverine fringes and gardens.

Food. The White-browed Sparrow-Weaver feeds on insects and seeds. Insects include termites, weevils, tenebrionid beetles, ants, caterpillars and small moths. Seeds of grasses and cereals are important in winter. It takes bread and other scraps at camp sites.

White-browed Sparrow-weaver
White-browed Sparrow-weaver,
nest with long entrance tube

Breeding. The White-browed Sparrow-Weaver is a colonial, cooperative breeder, living in groups of 2-11 birds. There is a single breeding female in each group, that is replaced by another group member in time. There is a dominant, breeding male that is eventually replaced from outside the group. Helpers related to the breeding pair help defend the territory and feed the young; unrelated helpers only help in group defence of the territory. The average colony size is 16 nests, but may be up to 20 nests in a single tree.

The nest is an elongated retort ball, with a domed roof. It is built only from dry grasses 15-60cm long. One occupied nest contained 983 pieces of grass. About 60% of roosting nests are converted to breeding nests by closing one of the 2 entrances, and then lining with feathers. The nest is placed in trees, 2-8 m above the ground. Mopane and Acacia trees are often favoured. Most nests are placed on the side of the tree away from the prevailing wind. Nest construction takes 10-18 days; and is by both members of the pair and helpers may contribute. Nest-building activity is throughout the year. Its nest sometimes has a longer entrance, as shown right.

Birds like the Ashy Tit Parus griseus, Black-checked Waxbill Estrilda erythronotos and Red-headed Finch Amadina erythrocephala may use their nests for roosting.

The above is based on Weaver Wednesday, a weekly series about weaver species.
This species text first appeared as Weaver Wednesday [2]: White-browed Sparrow-Weaver on 2012-06-27

2. Breeding facts

Pair bond
Monogamous, co-operative breeding system with helpers
Breeding season
throughout year in Kenya and South Africa depending on local conditions in areas of irregular rainfall; mostly Mar-May in E Africa, but Jul-Aug on Laikipia Plateau (Kenya); Nov-Dec in Angola, peak Dec-Mar in Zambia, Oct-Feb in Malawi, May-Jun in Botswana
Nest site
placed 2-8 m above ground in tree such as mopane, Sclerocarya caffra, or acacia (at least six species recorded)
Nest building
Nests built throughout year, but especially after rain; construction taking 10-18 days
Colony size
n/a
Clutch size
2-3
Egg colour
salmon-pink or creamy white, either evenly speckled with red, brown and grey, or markings forming band at thick end
Egg size
average 24.9 x 16.4 mm (South Africa)
Incubation
incubation by female alone, period 14-16 days
Chicks and nestling period
young fed by female alone for first 2-3 days, then also by male and helpers, chicks in nests with helpers grow faster; nestling period 17-18 days in Zambia, 21-23 days in South Africa, 25 days in captivity

Breeding information based on Handbook of the Birds of the World, Vol. 15.

3. Photos of Weaver Nests


Vm 31112

Vm 31110

Vm 31092

Vm 31085

Vm 31084

Vm 31083

Thumb-nails of most recent PHOWN records - click on one to see its full record
See all PHOWN records for this species here.

PHOWN (Photos of Weaver Nests) provides valuable info on breeding distribution and colony sizes of weavers.
You can contribute by registering and submitting photos at Virtual Museum webpage.

4. Breeding distribution

Google map showing distribution (For species with small ranges you need to zoom in at the correct area to see the range):
yellow blob - range of weaver species; read more about this here.
- PHOWN records with photos
- PHOWN records with no photos (Nest Record Cards, other records)
- Birdpix records
- comments on out of range records, or interesting records
- type locality
CLICK on the marker on the map to see individual record details.

5. Range changes

Read more in Biodiversity Observations.
map
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver, Range-change map between SABAP1 (1987-1991) and SABAP2 (2007-current).
Red, orange and yellow = cells with very large, large, and small relative decreases
Blue, dark green and light green = cells with very large, large and small relative increases.
Cells = quarter-degree grid cells; Only cells with at least 4 checklists in both SABAP1&2 shown. All cells had this species recorded in SABAP1 or in SABAP2 or in both (more about interpretation at Biodiversity Observations 7.62: 1-13).

Range changes in SA

White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver,
figure from Birdpix

Range change summary
More 4 lists 30 lists
increases n % n %
Decrease 237 29 46 19
Tiny change 184 22 55 23
Increase 411 49 138 57
Total 832 100 239 100
In South Africa the White-browed Sparrow-Weaver has more grid cells with increases in reporting rate than cells showing decreases, between SABAP1 (1987-1991) and SABAP2 (2007-). The points below match the points on the map above.

1. Population increase in the Eastern Cape
The White-browed Sparrow-Weaver has increased in numbers and range in the Eastern Cape, spreading southwards through the Cradock district since 1950.

2. Historic southern limit
Other than the isolated Eastern Cape population, the southern limit of the White-browed Sparrow-Weaver is about 31S, although the limit of the core (higher reporting rate) is about 30S.

3. Population increase in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park shows large increases between SABAP1 and SABAP2, so that the central core range of the White-browed Sparrow-Weaver appears to extend into the Park.

4. Population increase in the Free State
There are widespread large increases in reporting rate in the Free State (other than the western parts).

5. Population increase in KwaZulu-Natal
There are increases and decreases in reporting rate in localised grids in KwaZulu-Natal - there are also additional published sightings in other parts of the province, showing increasing records, probably due to increasing bush encroachment.

6. Population increase in the Lowveld and Kruger National Park
There are increases in reporting rate in the Lowveld and Kruger National Park - there are also additional published sightings in this region, showing increasing records, probably due to increasing bush encroachment.

Range changes elsewhere

Kenya: increase in numbers in Nairobi (Oschadleus 2014d).

The above is based on Weaver Wednesday 3, a weekly series about range changes in South African weaver species.
This species text first appeared as Weaver Wednesday 3 [239] - Range changes [2]: White-browed Sparrow-Weaver on 2017-01-11