Ploceus nelicourvi
The Nelicourvi Weaver (Ploceus nelicourvi) is a vibrant, medium-sized passerine, endemic to the humid forests of Madagascar. Measuring around 15 cm (6 inches) in length, adult males are strikingly beautiful with bright yellow underparts, a distinctive black face mask extending from the forehead to the throat, and an olive-green back with chestnut flanks. Their bold coloration makes them easily identifiable amidst the dense forest canopy. Females, by contrast, are more subtly colored, exhibiti...
Found in moist broadleaf forests, forest edges, and often in secondary growth or plantations, typically near water bodies, from sea level up to 2,000 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, consuming caterpillars, beetles, and ants, but also feeds on nectar, small fruits, and seeds, foraging by gleaning and hovering.
Nelicourvi Weavers are diurnal, engaging in active foraging throughout the day and roosting communally in dense vegetation at night. They primarily forage by gleaning insects from leaves and branches, often hanging upside down or hovering briefly to snatch prey, but also supplement their diet wit...
The Nelicourvi Weaver is strictly endemic to Madagascar, inhabiting the eastern humid forest belt of the island. Its distribution spans from the far northern regions, including areas like Montagne d'Ambre National Park, southwards along the entire eastern escarpment. This range extends through si...
Least Concern
- The Nelicourvi Weaver is one of only two true weaver species endemic to the island of Madagascar. - Its scientific name, 'nelicourvi,' is derived from a local Malagasy name, reflecting its native origins. - The male's meticulously woven, retort-shaped nest is a marvel of avian engineering, ofte...