Dinemellia dinemelli
The White-headed Buffalo Weaver (Dinemellia dinemelli) is a strikingly handsome and highly social passerine bird, immediately recognizable by its pristine white head, breast, and belly, contrasting sharply with its dark brown to black back, wings, and tail. Its most distinctive field mark, however, is a brilliant scarlet red rump and vent, which flashes conspicuously in flight. Measuring approximately 17-19 cm (6.7-7.5 inches) in length and weighing 50-70 grams, this stocky weaver possesses a...
Found in arid and semi-arid savannas, open acacia and thornbush woodlands, and dry grasslands with scattered trees across East Africa. Primarily found at low to mid-elevations.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and other arthropods, supplemented with seeds from grasses and shrubs, and occasionally small fruits. Forages mainly on the ground.
White-headed Buffalo Weavers are highly gregarious and diurnal, forming noisy, active flocks that forage and roost communally. Their foraging strategy primarily involves gleaning insects from the ground, often following large mammals like buffalo or cattle to catch insects disturbed by their move...
The White-headed Buffalo Weaver is a resident species found across a wide swathe of East Africa, with no significant migratory movements. Its breeding range extends from extreme southeastern South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia south through Uganda and Kenya, into central and northern Tanzania. The...
Least Concern
- The White-headed Buffalo Weaver is the only species in its genus, Dinemellia, making it unique among its weaver relatives. - Their common name, 'Buffalo Weaver,' comes from their habit of foraging near large grazing mammals like buffalo, ostriches, or zebras to catch insects disturbed by their ...