Montane widowbird

The montane widowbird, also known as the mountain marsh widowbird is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae, which is native to the eastern Afrotropics.

Range and habitat

It is an endemic resident of the eastern Afromontane grasslands. It occurs in northeast Zambia, northern Malawi and the highlands of southwestern Tanzania.

Description

Like all widowbirds, the male and female plumages differ prominently during breeding season. In the breeding season males moult into a black breeding plumage, which includes long tail feathers and yellow shoulder patches. Outside the breeding season the sexes are similar in appearance, both having speckled brown and black plumage.

Behaviour

During this period males defend territories in the early morning after sunrise and in the evening before sunset.