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

Montane widowbird
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Ploceidae
Genus: Euplectes
Species:
E. psammacromius
Binomial name
Euplectes psammacromius
(Reichenow, 1900)
Synonyms

Pentethria psammocromia lapsus

Range and habitat

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

Description

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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 (these patches retain a discrete appearance during the non-breeding period). Outside the breeding season the sexes are similar in appearance, both having speckled brown and black plumage.

Behaviour

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

References

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  1. ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Euplectes psammacromius". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22719238A94619088. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22719238A94619088.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.