From Opus

Photo by tf1044x
Location: The Gambia.

Ploceus nigricollis

[edit] Identification

16cm
Male (northern race)

• Olive upperparts and wings
• Yellow underparts and head
• Black eyemask and bib
• Pale yellow iris
• Strong conical bill
  

Non-breeding male

• Yellow head
• Olive crown
• Grey upperparts and whitish
• Yellow and black wings.
  

Female

• Olive upperparts and wings
• Yellow underparts and head
• Black eyemask but no bib.

[edit] Similar Species

The green-backed subspecies (see Taxonomy below) should be separated with care from the Spectacled Weaver where both occur (eastern Nigeria and western Cameroon). This species shows more olive and less yellow on the head (especially the crown area in females) and a thicker bill.

[edit] Distribution

Photo by MURAMURA
Kibale Forest Western Uganda

Sub-Saharan Africa.

[edit] Taxonomy

Subspecies brachypterus (from western Cameroon west to the Gambia) and po (Bioko) have olive-green backs. The nominate subspecies (from Cameroon east and south) is black-backed.

[edit] Habitat

Open areas with trees, including forest edges and savanna woodland.

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] Breeding

It builds a large coarsely woven nest made of grass and creepers with a 15cm downward facing entrance tunnel hanging from the globular egg chamber, suspended from a branch in a tree. Two to three eggs are laid.

[edit] Diet

The diet includes insects and vegetable matter.

[edit] Vocalisation

Call: wheezing dew-dew-twee.

[edit] References

1. Wikipedia

[edit] External Links