White-browed Sparrow-weaver

The white-browed sparrow-weaver (''Plocepasser mahali'') is a predominantly brown, sparrow-sized bird found throughout central and north-central southern Africa. It is found in groups of two to eleven individuals consisting of one breeding pair and other non-reproductive individuals.

Taxonomy and systematics

During his expedition to the interior of southern Africa in 1834–35, Andrew Smith collected specimens of the white-browed sparrow weaver at the Modder River, which he described in 1836, giving it the scientific name ''Plocepasser mahali''.

Etymology

Smith did not provide an explanation for the species epithet ''mahali'', but is clear it is not a Latin name. Probably it is derived from the vernacular name for the bird in Setswana ''mogale'' or from the Sesotho word ''mohale'', a brave or fierce person, which suggests the bird's name may refer to its angry scolding.

Vernacular names

Other common names used in English include black-billed mahali weaverbird, black-billed sparrow weaver, Kismayu sparrow-weaver, stripe-breasted sparrow-weaver, white-browed weaver bird, and white-crowned weaver bird.

Subspecies

There are four recognized subspecies of the white-browed sparrow-weaver: IOC World Bird List
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*''P. m. melanorhynchus'' is found in eastern Africa
*''P. m. pectoralis'' is found from Botswana to Tanzania and western Mozambique
*''P. m. ansorgei'' is found in southern Angola and northern Namibia
*''P. m. mahali'' is found from southern Namibia to Zimbabwe and South Africa

Description

It ranges from in length and is characterized by a broad, white eyebrow stripe and white rump visible in flight. While the male white-browed sparrow-weaver sports a black bill, the female's bill is horn-colored (light gray); that of the juvenile is pinkish-brown. In Zimbabwe, the white-browed sparrow-weaver shows faint brown spotting across its white breast.

Voice

The white-browed sparrow-weaver may emit either a brief ''chik-chick'' or a loud, fluid, ''cheoop-preeoo-chop'' whistle.

Similar species

The yellow-throated petronia has a pinkish brown (not black) bill, a buff (not white) eyebrow stripe, black (not pink) feet, and yellow shading at the bottom of a white throat. Additionally, the white-browed sparrow-weaver is larger than the yellow-throated petronia. Unlike the white-browed sparrow-weaver, the yellow-throated petronia may be found in broad-leaved woodland.

Distribution and habitat

The white-browed sparrow-weaver is found in greatest numbers in north-central southern Africa. While this species most densely populates dry regions with woodland or wooded grassland at northern South Africa, its range includes Botswana, northern and central Namibia, and western Zimbabwe. It is seen very often in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia and southern Malawi. Populations may be found as far north as Ethiopia. Populations are sedentary.

This species nests in colonies along thornveld and scrubby, dry riverbanks.

Behaviour and ecology

Breeding

Breeding has been observed year round, but occurs mainly in warmer months. Year round, groups of the white-browed sparrow-weaver are active and nest-building. Groups of ten to sixty inverted-U-shaped nests of dry grass appear in the outside limbs of trees, although only several are used for breeding or roosting. While breeding nests have only one entrance, roosting nests have an entrance located at each of the two nest extremities. Research has shown that, throughout a region, nests are located at the leeward side of a tree. This behavior preserves a greater number of intact nests for breeding and roosting. White-browed sparrow-weaver nests are sometimes used by other birds, such as the red-headed finch and ashy tit.

Thermoregulation

Different populations of this species vary in their ability to regulate their body temperature when there are changes in air temperature. White-browed sparrow-weavers from hotter and drier parts of the desert maintained higher body temperatures and let their bodies heat up comparatively more during the warmest part of the day compared to birds from a milder semi-desert site. This daily heterothermy means that desert birds do not need to use as much evaporative cooling and therefore can conserve body water. Within the population of semi-desert birds, there were also seasonal changes in daily heterothermy, with higher heterothermy during the dry season compared to the wet season. When air temperatures are very high, white-browed sparrow weavers also spend less time foraging in direct sunlight and more time in shaded areas.

Status

The white-browed sparrow-weaver is becoming more abundant, expanding its range on southern, northern, and eastern fronts.

Gallery

White-browed sparrow-weaver (Plocepasser mahali melanorhynchus) male.jpg, male
''P. m. melanorhynchus''
Lake Ziway, Ethiopia
White-browed sparrow-weaver (Plocepasser mahali ansorgei) female.jpg, female
''P. m. ansorgei''
Etosha National Park, Namibia
White-browed sparrow-weaver (Plocepasser mahali mahali) female.jpg, female
''P. m. mahali''
Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa
White-browed sparrow-weaver (Plocepasser mahali pectoralis) male.jpg, male
''P. m. pectoralis''
Matetsi Safari Area, Zimbabwe
File:Plocepasser mahali -Etosha National Park, Namibia -juvenile-8.jpg, Juvenile in Namibia
File:Plocepasser mahali -Samburu District, Kenya -male in nest-8.jpg, Male in nest in Kenya
File:White-browed Sparrow-weaver Nests.jpg, White-browed sparrow-weaver nests in Botswana, Africa
File:Plocepasser mahali -Okovango Delta, Botswana -nests in acacia tree-8.jpg, An acacia tree with white-browed sparrow-weaver nests in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

References

External links

White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
– Species text in Weaver Watch.

Species text in ''The Atlas of Southern African Birds''

{{Taxonbar, from=Q687079

white-browed sparrow-weaver
Birds of Sub-Saharan Africa
white-browed sparrow-weaver
Birds of East Africa