A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Dinemellia dinemelli
This bird was discovered on a bridge located in the San Diego Zoo facilities. We managed to snap a shot of this magnificent creature just as it was "taking a stretch." You can see the distinct markings on it's feathers. The White-headed Buffalo Weaver is 170–190 mm (6.7–7.5 in) in length and 57–85 g (2.0–3.0 oz) in weight. In addition to its white head and underparts, the White-headed Buffalo Weaver has a vividly orange-red rump and undertail coverts. Its thighs are dark brown. Narrow white bands can be found on the wings. Both sexes are similar in plumage and hard to differentiate. The bill is conical and black. D. dinemelli has a brown tail, whereas D. boehmi has a black tail. Like the most weavers, it is a gregarious bird which forages on the ground for insects, especially beetles and butterflies, fruits, and seeds, often in groups with starlings. Foraging is often done in groups of 3–6 birds. Its sound is parrot-like: “skwieeer”, “kiiyerr”, a ringing and repetitious “tew”. In addition, variable sounds as chuckles and whistles can be heard at breeding and roosting sites. The sounds are slow and drawn out. They also make trills: “tsu-weely-weely-wair”. They often perch in trees and hang upside-down and can be very noisy. Breeding and roosting is done in groups and they can be defensive against intruders, usually by making noise. Altercations are rarely fatal and usually vocal. Males display to females by spreading their wings to show their white wing-patches and red-orange tail-coverts. These are monogamous and the species is considered "Threatened".
The White-headed Buffalo Weaver (Dinemellia dinemelli) is a species of passerine bird in the family Ploceidae native to East Africa. The buffalo part of its name derives from its habit of following the African buffalo, feeding on disturbed insects.
Special Thanks to Cynthia Hori, Pierre T , Ashish, and Auntnance for all the help.
What is really funny is that I noticed that I have not seen a single person from Africa, in Project Noah! :)
How cool!! Wow what an effort on all parts - thats what makes this site such a wonderful community. Thanks for giving us all such a great challenge!
Cynthia , Great work Iding the bird with what ever little red it had in it!!
It indeed is a white headed Buffalo Weaver.
i have included the e-mail from the zoo below. One more feather for you in your Rangers cap!!
Thank you for contacting the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
The bird in the photo appears to be a white-headed Buffalo Weaver.
Chris C.
Customer Service Team
San Diego Zoo
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
MediyansyahTaharani, Thanks so much!! I really enjoy your collection of spottings from Indonesia!!
Thanks Chaitanya, yes i have fallen in love with this bird ,because i spent so much time looking at it!! Trying to figure out his ID!!
This spotting , I consider as a drill in species Identification and true team work !!
Fun Interactive drill!!
Pierre , i will .I am waiting for the zoo to reply. i am afraid ,this will take a little longer than I expected.
Thanks for your interest!!
@ Pierre
Actually I was not sure with that Secretary bird as its very bigger in size, but legs were matching in style and colours nothing else.
Thanks for the Feed back Cynthia and I am more inclined to go by your Id suggestion and that is what it probably is!
But I was looking at the list of birds in the San Diego Zoo and they do not have this bird listed.
Maybe i missed something!!
But we should know soon!
mrandolp@sandiegozoo.org
this is the e-mail i am sending the image to .
i shall let all of you know if I find anything interesting!!
I was reading about the ID I sent you and it mentions this type of display by the males.
Thanks for the valuable info Cynthia. One thing leads to another and pretty soon who knows we will have an Id for this cutie!!
The only thing I can come up with at the moment, and it is only from searching the very distinct markings (not form personal knowledge), is White Headed Buffalo Weaver
Cynthia,good to see you!!
Yes that is a very good question and one i have been pondering about!!!!
Yes ,If you look carefully you will see RED At the rearest upper part. Very Very little though!!!
Auntnance and Ashish , thanks .
Pierre T ,the Java juvenile is known to change color when it reaches adulthood.
Was there any red in the bird? maybe under the tail? I wish I could see a side view!
I was speaking of the beak shape only; java sparrows have dark pink legs so I doubt that's the ID.
I am ready to narrow this one down to a "Java Sparrow ",youngster because of the playfulness it displays.
Spotted on Jun 15, 2011
Submitted on Jun 15, 2011
+2
