Tanzania, Marera Village (1 Viewer)

J

julienl

Well-known member

• Sep 7, 2019

• #1

Hey all,

These birds were seen at Marera Village (alt approx 1400m).

1,2) Immature Grey Capped Social Weaver ?
3) ?

Julien

 

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Valéry Schollaert

Respect animals, don't eat or wear their body or s

• Sep 7, 2019

• #2

1/2 looks like Grey-headed Sparrow, here is my French page on it : https://valeryschollaert.wordpress.com/moineau-swahili-passer-suahelicus/

 

Valéry Schollaert

Respect animals, don't eat or wear their body or s

• Sep 7, 2019

• #3

Wll, I'm not sure where is Marera Village, Swahili Sparrow can be a option too. https://valeryschollaert.wordpress.com/moineau-swahili-passer-suahelicus/

 

Valéry Schollaert

Respect animals, don't eat or wear their body or s

• Sep 7, 2019

• #4

For the Ploceus, Village Weaver seems the only possible option with such a thick bill and red eye. https://valeryschollaert.wordpress.com/tisserin-gendarme-ploceus-cucullatus/

 

J

julienl

Well-known member

• Sep 7, 2019

• #5

Marera Village is located between Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro NP.

Hard to tell between Grey-headed Sparrow and Swahili Sparrow with this angle and lighting.

For 3), bill is too thick for Vitelline Masked Weaver ?

 

Valéry Schollaert

Respect animals, don't eat or wear their body or s

• Sep 7, 2019

• #6

julienl said:

Marera Village is located between Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro NP.

Hard to tell between Grey-headed Sparrow and Swahili Sparrow with this angle and lighting.

For 3), bill is too thick for Vitelline Masked Weaver ?

Click to expand...

According to range, Swahili is the best option.

The bill looks too big for Vitelline indeed, although I'm never 100% sure with female / young Ploceus. I prefer to wait to see the male. :king:

 

Tib78

Well-known member

• Sep 7, 2019

• #7

It’s a Northern grey-headed sparrow, the usual «village sparrow» even in the core range of Swahili sparrow. The latter being a dry bush species not affiliated to human settlements. Eye-size, somewhat stubby bill, extensive dark lores and lack of prominent white tips to the greater coverts on a fresh plumage bird all indicate NGH. Also if taken recently the bill colour points towards NGH as non-breeding Swahili are pale-billed.

 

J

julienl

Well-known member

• Sep 7, 2019

• #8

Thanks Tib, where did you get all this information from ?

 

Tib78

Well-known member

• Sep 8, 2019

• #9

julienl said:

Thanks Tib, where did you get all this information from ?

Click to expand...

I have exchanged with Neil Baker (the main authority on TZ birds) on this subject and I have also spent a lot of time studying Swahili sparrows, I have found several undescribed differences between this sp and NGH.
I am currently studying the calls/vocalization of the 4 members of the Passer griseus complex present in Tanzania.
Still missing recordings and good photos of Southern grey headed though ...a scarce bird only found to the south-east of the country.

 

J

julienl

Well-known member

• Sep 8, 2019

• #10

Thanks for the clarification Thibaut.

 

Valéry Schollaert

Respect animals, don't eat or wear their body or s

• Sep 8, 2019

• #11

Talking about Neil Baker, he worked on the project that slaughtered about 2 millions of House Crows... certainly not an authority in bird respect...

For those who understand French : https://valeryschollaert.wordpress.com/loiseau-qui-aime-le-plastique/