Ploceus bertrandi
The Bertram's Weaver (Ploceus bertrandi) is a strikingly dimorphic passerine bird, often captivating birders with its distinctive appearance. Breeding males showcase a vibrant black plumage accented by a brilliant yellow nuchal collar, a key identification mark that encircles the nape, contrasting sharply with their black heads and rich red irises. Measuring approximately 14-15 cm in length, females and non-breeding males are comparatively drab, exhibiting olive-brown streaked upperparts, pal...
This species primarily inhabits Afromontane forest edges, moist evergreen woodlands, and secondary growth, often found near cultivation. It typically occurs at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 2,500 meters above sea level.
The diet of Bertram's Weaver consists predominantly of small seeds, particularly those from grasses, supplemented by a variety of insects, including termites and caterpillars. They forage by gleaning from vegetation and on the ground.
Bertram's Weavers exhibit a generally social demeanor, often observed foraging in small, mixed-species flocks outside the breeding season, though pairs may nest solitarily. During courtship, males construct intricate, retort-shaped or spherical nests with a downward-pointing entrance tube, woven ...
Bertram's Weaver is endemic to a restricted range across East Africa, primarily found in southern Tanzania, Malawi, eastern Zambia, and northern Mozambique. In Tanzania, its distribution is centered around the Eastern Arc Mountains, including the Udzungwa and Uluguru ranges, extending to highland...
Least Concern
- The male Bertram's Weaver's striking yellow nuchal collar makes it one of the most distinctly marked forest weavers in its range. - Unlike many weavers that form large, boisterous colonies, Bertram's Weavers may nest solitarily or in small, dispersed groups. - Its preferred high-altitude, Afrom...