Plocepasser donaldsoni
The Donaldson Smith's Sparrow-Weaver (Plocepasser donaldsoni) is a striking passerine bird, roughly 16-17 cm (6.3-6.7 inches) in length, characterized by its robust, conical bill and distinctive head pattern. Adults exhibit a broad white supercilium that sharply contrasts with a dark brown to blackish crown, bordered by a dark line below the eye, creating a 'masked' appearance. Its upperparts are sandy brown, often streaked darker, with a prominent rufous rump that is a key identification fea...
Found in arid and semi-arid thornbush and acacia savanna, particularly with scattered trees and shrubs, generally at elevations below 1300 meters.
Primarily granivorous, feeding on a variety of grass seeds and acacia seeds, supplemented with insects (termites, ants, beetles, caterpillars) especially during the breeding season, and occasionally nectar from *Aloe* flowers.
Donaldson Smith's Sparrow-Weavers are highly social birds, living in cohesive groups typically comprising 2 to 10 individuals, often including a breeding pair and several helpers. They are diurnal, spending most of their day foraging on the ground or in low bushes. Foraging involves meticulously ...
The Donaldson Smith's Sparrow-Weaver is endemic to the Horn of Africa, with a relatively restricted but stable distribution. Its primary range encompasses southern and southeastern Ethiopia, extending through most of Somalia, and into northern and eastern Kenya. This species is strongly associate...
Least Concern
- Donaldson Smith's Sparrow-Weavers are named after Arthur Donaldson Smith, an American explorer and naturalist who collected the type specimen in Somalia in 1895. - They are cooperative breeders, meaning that multiple individuals, often non-breeding adults, assist the breeding pair in raising th...