White-browed Sparrow-weaver

Taxobox
name = White-browed Sparrow-weaver


image_width = 300px
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Passeriformes
familia = Passeridae
genus = "Plocepasser"
species = "P. mahali"
binomial = "Plocepasser mahali"
binomial_authority = Smith, 1836
range_

---

range_map_width = 300px
range_map_caption = Distribution of the White-browed Sparrow-weaver across southern Africa. Note: This partial map depicts only the southern range. See text for complete distribution.

The White-browed Sparrow-weaver ("Plocepasser mahali"; Afrikaans: Koringvoël) is a predominantly brown, sparrow-sized weaver found throughout central and northcentral southern Africa. It is found in groups of two to eleven individuals consisting of one breeding pair and nonreproductive individuals.

Physical description

Appearance

It ranges from 17 to 19 centimeters (6.7 to 7.5 inches) in length and is characterized by a broad, white eyebrow stripe and white rump visible in flight. While the male White-browed Sparrow-weaver sports a black bill, the female's bill is horn-colored; that of the juvenile is pinkish-brown. In Zimbabwe, the White-browed Sparrow-weaver shows faint brown spotting across its white breast. cite book
last = Sinclair
first = Ian
authorlink =
coauthors = Phil Hockey, Warwick Tarboton
title = Princeton Field Guides: Birds of Southern Africa
publisher = Princeton University Press
date = 2002
location = Princeton, New Jersey
pages = 396-397
url =
doi =
isbn = 0-691--09682-1 ]

Voice

The White-browed Sparrow-weaver may emit either a brief "chik-chick" or a loud, fluid, "cheoop-preeoo-chop" whistle.

imilar species

The Yellow-throated Petronia has a pinkish brown (not black) bill, a buff (not white) eyebrow stripe, black (not pink) feet, and yellow shading at the bottom of a white throat. Additionally, the White-browed Sparrow-weaver is larger than the Yellow-throated Petronia. Unlike the White-browed Sparrow-weaver, the Yellow-throated Petronia may be found in broad-leaved woodland.

Distribution and subspecies

Distribution, habitat and migration

The White-browed Sparrow-weaver is found in greatest numbers in north-central southern Africa. While this species most densely populates at dry regions with woodland or wooded grassland at northern South Africa, its range includes Botswana, northern and central Namibia, and western Zimbabwe. Populations may be found as far north as Ethiopia. cite book
last = Harrison
first = J. A.
authorlink =
coauthors = D. G. Allan, V. Parker, C. J. Brown
title = The Atlas of South African Birds
publisher = BirdLife South Africa
date = 1997
location =
pages = 532
url = http://web.uct.ac.za/depts/stats/adu/pdf/799.pdf
doi =
id = ]

This species nests along thornveld and scrubby, dry riverbanks.

Because the White-browed Sparrow-weaver nests in colonies, populations are sedentary.

ubspecies

There are four recognized subspecies of the White-browed Sparrow-weaver.
*"P. m. mahali" is found in the eastern part of the northern Cape Province of South Africa.
*"P. m. stentor" is found from the western part of the northern Cape Province northwards along the Namibian escarpment.
*"P. m. terricolor" is found towards the center of the White-Browed Sparrow-weaver's range, occurring predominantly in eastern Botswana.
*"P. m. pectoralis" is found in northeastern Zimbabwe along the lower Zambezi river.

Reproduction

Nesting

Year round, groups of the White-browed Sparrow-weaver are active and nest-building. Groups of ten to sixty inverted-U-shaped nests of dry grass appear in the outside limbs of trees, although only several are used for breeding or roosting. While breeding nests have only one entrance, roosting nests have an entrance located at each of the two nest extremities. Research has shown that, throughout a region, nests are located at the leeward side of a tree. This behavior preserves a greater number of intact nests for breeding and roosting. White-browed Sparrow-weaver nests are sometimes used by other birds, such as the Red-headed Finch and Ashy Tit. [cite journal
last = Ferguson
first = J. W. H
authorlink =
coauthors = W. R. Seigfreid
title = Environmental Factors Influencing Nest-Site Preference in White-Browed Sparrow-Weavers (Plocepasser Mahali)
journal = The Condor
volume = 91
issue = 1
pages = 100–107
publisher =
date = January-February, 1989
url = http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Condor/files/issues/v091n01/p0100-p0107.pdf
doi =
id =
accessdate = March, 2007 ]

Breeding

Breeding has been observed year round, but occurs mainly in warmer months.

Conservation status

The White-browed Sparrow-weaver is becoming more abundant, expanding its range on southern, northern, and eastern fronts.

References

External links

* [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=8485&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet]