Zanzibar Bird IDs (1 Viewer)

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Nick French

Well-known member

• Aug 13, 2006

• #1

I could do with some help with these two birds photographed in Zanzibar last week. Neither completely match the pictures and descriptions in the field guide. I have put the weaver down as an African Golden Weaver but the eye seems too red compared to the guide description as pale red. The mannikin I have taken as Bronze Mannikin but it was generally dark on mantal and wings not showing the brown in the guide.

Am I way off beam?

 

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Xenospiza

Distracted

• Aug 13, 2006

• #2

The mannikin is OK, its back is described as "dull or grey-brown", which I think describes it well.
The weaver gave me a headache, with no pics really fitting, but you must be right: its head looks "too dark" as a whole if I have to believe most fieldguides...

 

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Nick French

Well-known member

• Aug 14, 2006

• #3

The difficulty with the weavers is that I do not know how much they vary.

 

M Cowming

Well-known member

• Aug 14, 2006

• #4

Hi Nick,

I was in the same region last year. Wonderful place! I agree that the Weaver is an African Golden. See links;

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/burnhambirds/Golden_Weaver_web.jpg

http://www.tomuphoto.com/albums/album02/African_golden_weaver_with_nest.jpg

You are also correct about the Mannakin, note the two-toned bill!

Regards,

 

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Nick French

Well-known member

• Aug 14, 2006

• #5

Thanks - it is always good to get confirmation!