Malimbus erythrogaster
The Red-bellied Malimbe (Malimbus erythrogaster) is a strikingly patterned passerine belonging to the weaver family, Ploceidae, known for its intricate nest-building. Measuring approximately 18-19 cm in length and weighing around 30-40 grams, it exhibits a robust build typical of forest weavers. Males and females are virtually identical in plumage, showcasing a glossy black body contrasted sharply with a vibrant scarlet to crimson-red lower breast, belly, and undertail coverts. A key field ma...
This malimbe primarily inhabits the canopy and sub-canopy of lowland and montane tropical moist broadleaf forests, frequently venturing into forest edges and mature secondary growth. It is typically found at elevations ranging from sea level up to 1,500 meters, preferring areas with dense vegetat...
The diet of the Red-bellied Malimbe consists mainly of insects, particularly caterpillars, beetles, and ants, supplemented with small fruits and nectar. Foraging is primarily done by gleaning from leaves, branches, and epiphytes in the forest canopy.
Red-bellied Malimbes are diurnal, active birds, spending their days foraging solitarily, in pairs, or occasionally in small family groups, sometimes joining mixed-species foraging flocks. They are agile gleaners, methodically searching for insects and other invertebrates among foliage, bark, and ...
The Red-bellied Malimbe is a resident species distributed across the dense forests of Central Africa, with its primary range extending from southeastern Nigeria and southern Cameroon eastward through the Central African Republic. Its distribution continues into Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Repub...
Least Concern
- The Red-bellied Malimbe is a master architect, with the male meticulously weaving an elaborate, retort-shaped nest that can hang up to a meter long. - Its scientific name "erythrogaster" directly translates from Greek as "red belly," perfectly describing one of its most striking features. - Unl...