Malimbus racheliae
Rachel's Malimbe (*Malimbus racheliae*) is a striking member of the weaver family (Ploceidae), instantly recognizable by its vivid red and black plumage, particularly in the male. Measuring approximately 13 cm (5.1 inches) in length and weighing around 20-25 grams, this small passerine boasts a glossy black body contrasted by an expansive scarlet-red hood that extends from the crown over the nape and down to the breast, with a prominent red rump. Females are similar but with slightly less ext...
This malimbe is primarily an inhabitant of the canopy and sub-canopy of lowland primary rainforests, occasionally venturing into adjacent secondary growth or dense riparian vegetation. It is typically found at elevations ranging from sea level up to about 900 meters.
The diet of Rachel's Malimbe consists primarily of insects and other small invertebrates, which it gleans from foliage and branches. It occasionally supplements its insectivorous diet with small fruits or seeds.
Rachel's Malimbe is generally an active, arboreal species, often observed singly or in pairs, occasionally joining mixed-species foraging flocks alongside other insectivorous birds. Daily activity patterns are typical of forest passerines, foraging throughout the day and roosting communally or so...
Rachel's Malimbe is a resident species endemic to the Upper Guinea and Lower Guinean forests of West and Central Africa. Its breeding and year-round range encompasses parts of southeastern Nigeria, through western and southern Cameroon, the island of Bioko (Equatorial Guinea), and northern Gabon....
Least Concern
- Rachel's Malimbe is named after Rachel, the daughter of the British ornithologist and explorer George Latimer Bates, who collected the type specimen in Cameroon. - Its intricate, suspended, woven nest is a true marvel of avian architecture, characteristic of the weaver family (Ploceidae). - Des...