The white-browed sparrow-weaver is a predominantly brown, sparrow-sized bird found throughout central and north-central southern Africa. It is found in groups of two to eleven individuals consisting of one breeding pair and other non-reproductive individuals.
Taxonomy and systematics
During his expedition to the interior of southern Africa in 1834–35, Andrew Smith collected specimens of the white-browed sparrow weaver at the Modder River, which he described in 1836, giving it the scientific namePlocepasser mahali.
Etymology
Smith did not provide an explanation for the species epithetmahali, but is clear it is not a Latin name. Probably it is derived from the vernacular name for the bird in Setswanamogale or from the Sesothowordmohale, a brave or fierce person, which suggests the bird's name may refer to its angry scolding.
Vernacular names
Other common names used in English include black-billed mahali weaverbird, black-billed sparrow weaver, Kismayu sparrow-weaver, stripe-breasted sparrow-weaver, white-browed weaver bird, and white-crowned weaver bird.
Subspecies
There are four recognized subspecies of the white-browed sparrow-weaver:
P. m. melanorhynchus is found in eastern Africa
P. m. pectoralis is found from Botswana to Tanzania and western Mozambique
P. m. ansorgei is found in southern Angola and northern Namibia
P. m. mahali is found from southern Namibia to Zimbabwe and South Africa
Description
It ranges from in length and is characterized by a broad, white eyebrowstripe 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.
Voice
The white-browed sparrow-weaver may emit either a brief chik-chick or a loud, fluid, cheoop-preeoo-chop whistle.
Similar species
The yellow-throated petronia has a pinkish brown bill, a buff eyebrow stripe, black 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 habitat
The white-browed sparrow-weaver is found in greatest numbers in north-central southern Africa. While this species most densely populates dry regions with woodland or wooded grassland at northern South Africa, its range includes Botswana, northern and central Namibia, and western Zimbabwe. It is seen very often in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia and southern Malawi. Populations may be found as far north as Ethiopia. Populations are sedentary. This species nests in colonies along thornveld and scrubby, dry riverbanks.
Breeding has been observed year round, but occurs mainly in warmer months. 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.
Status
The white-browed sparrow-weaver is becoming more abundant, expanding its range on southern, northern, and eastern fronts.
