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White-browed Sparrow-Weaver | Plocepasser mahali
The White-browed Sparrow-Weaver is a Southern African bird that belongs to the Ploceidae bird family group which includes birds such as Weavers, Queleas, Windowbirds. The description for the White-browed Sparrow-Weaver (Latin name Plocepasser mahali) can be found in the 7th Edition of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. The Plocepasser mahali can be quickly identified by its unique Roberts identification number of 799 and the detailed description of this bird is on page 1006. You will find a picture of the White-browed Sparrow-Weaver on page 1009. NOTE: The reference for the information following is "Roberts Birds of Southern Africa", 7th Edition*. This edition contained a number of taxonomic changes as well as changes to English names used traditionally and in earlier editions of most bird books in South Africa. The following paragraph notes such changes if any. Neither the Latin nor the Engish name for this bird has been affected by recent nomenclature modifications ? these changes have been incorporated into Robert's 7th Edition where appropriate. The White-browed Sparrow-Weaver has a height of 18 cms and weighs around 47 gms. The head is coloured brown while the bill is coloured black. The Plocepasser mahali has a white coloured throat, brown legs and a brown coloured back. The eyes are brown. Take note of the main distinguishing features such as colour, size and leg length relative to the body size. Colours of body parts can be helpful. Be aware what may appear brown to one person is described in Roberts using some other word ... for example brown, black. See colours used in Roberts. Head is brown Eyes are brown Bill is black Legs are brown Throat is white Back is brown Feeding Habits ...This bird forages for food on the ground This bird eats insects such as butterflies, bees, wasps, locusts and ants. These invertebrates are usually hawked aerially, killed and then eaten . The Plocepasser mahali forages mainly on the ground or at the base of trees, and low down in the shrubs eating mostly fruits and seeds. Breeding, Habitat and Nesting Habits ...The White-browed Sparrow-Weaver is a monogamous bird which means that the bird finds and breeds with one partner for the rest of its life. The bird lays between 1 to 3 eggs and they are coloured pink. The nest is built high up in the tree canopy and is protected from predators by branches and the dense green foligae. The White-browed Sparrow-Weaver is mainly found in light and densely wooded forests, where there are Mopane trees. The bird is an urban dweller as well, being at home in parks, gardens and in old vacated buildings Seen in Flocks, Singles or Pairs Normally ...This bird is usually seen in small family groups or in large flocks |
