Help with non-breeding plumage Ploceus weaver from Namibia (1 Viewer)

[SteveClark]

Hello all

I'd appreciate any Southern African experts having a look at the photos I took of a non-breeding plumage Ploceus weaver along the Zambezi River in Caprivi, Namibia in June.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/bukoba_steve/sets/72157655098126335

Candidates would appear to be Lesser Masked Weaver, Village Weaver, Southern Brown-throated Weaver or Southern Masked Weaver.

My conclusion is Southern Brown-throated Weaver.

Cheer
Steve

 

[Andy Adcock]

I'd agree with that Steve.
there's a hint of brown on the throat side

Andy

 

[Andy Hurley]

Hi Steve,

I not an expert, but I was also there in June. I think that this is a Southern Brown-throated Weaver as you and Andy have said. Southern Masked and Village have red eyes and Lesser Masked have black legs and smaller bills.
I think it's a female because of the bold shoulder and back pattern and the greenish head. I didn't see any during the 3 weeks I was there, so lucky you.

 

[SteveClark]

Thanks Andy and Andy

More opinions most welcome.

I found this photo on the internet that helped firm up my opinion:

http://www.gobirding.eu/Images/Pass...throated Weaver, Liwonde, 26-May-11 (5) L.JPG

It was taken in Liwonde, southern Malawi by David Appleton.

Cheers
Steve

 

[Djerf]

Steve, asking opinions from Southern African experts (only), may limit the numbers of replies a bit, don't you think? I'm not an expert but I think your bird is a Southern Brown-throated Weaver because of the bill shape and coloration and the eye colour.

All the best

Joakim

 

[MacNara]

I think this is definitely a Southern Brown-throated Weaver. The bill shape is just right. The wing panel and the eye-line aren't as clear as they could be, but in the location, it's the only possibility, I think.

Here are a few pictures from Chobe (lodge gardens) last December.

1. Female
2. Female (not necessarily the same)
3. The male in the same spot
4. A juvenile male? in the same spot

 

[SteveClark]

Thanks everyone and apologies for appearing to restrict my query to replies from Southern African experts only. Replies came from the UK, Russia, Germany, Sweden and Japan!

I'm happy with the ID now.

Cheers
Steve