Any ideas on what these are? (1 Viewer)

[Reader]

Taken on the Brazo Del Este in Spain on Dec 6th.

There were about twenty of them and also about five Common Waxbills amongst them. One suggestion was female Golden Bishop but the birder who thought that thinks they are probably not.

As you can see they were in reeds by a water channel.

Note those grey eyes with the black centre and the chunky bill for the size of the bird. I would have thought Serin size judging by their size comparison to the Waxbills but I could be wrong. There were no other birds that I recognised in the area to judge size by.

Any ideas what they are?

John

 

[Mark Harper]

Maybe this link will help.

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=62398

Your birds are in non-breeding plumage though

 

[Reader]

Thanks Mark

I'm glad I can put a name to the bird as it completely confused me.

What is the status of these birds. My impression is that you can count Waxbills and Red Avadavat's but I'm not sure of these birds or the Golden Bishops etc. Are they self sustaining populations or are they still classed as escapee's?

John

 

[David Swanepoel]

Hi John,
Looks like some female Ploceus to me, but not sure which.
Regards,
- David

 

[Ghostly Vision]

Black-headed weavers also breed in Portugal now; I found what was clearly a pair in trees next to a reed-fringed ditch in the Algarve last June (2006). They were always in the same spot. There was also a small flock at a nearby pool.

I think they, like Avadavat (which is quite common and widespread in the Algarve at least) seem to be fully naturalised. Does anyone know if they are accepted as "Category C" by the Spanish and Portuguese committees?

Sean

 

[Motmot]

Avadavat is C1 in Spain. All weavers are still on the E category in Spain. Last (2005) list revision.
Cheers
Eduardo

 

[JWN Andrewes]

Ex africa semper aliquid novi. That Pliny, what a card.

James

 

[Reader]

Avadavat is C1 in Spain. All weavers are still on the E category in Spain. Last (2005) list revision.
Cheers
Eduardo

Thanks Eduardo.

That answers my question.

John

 

[Arade]

Looks like Ploceus melanocephalus, wich breeds in Quinta do Lago (Algarve)