Birdsong field guide
Buff-shouldered Widowbird
Euplectes psammacromius
A striking weaver bird of East African highlands, defined by the breeding male's long tail and pale orange-buff wing patches.
What it sounds like
A series of sharp, metallic 'chip' notes transitioning into a wheezy, sizzling song typical of the genus Euplectes.
Reference call, compare with what you heard
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Field notes
- Breeding males undergo a dramatic seasonal transformation from streaked brown to deep black plumage with elongated tail feathers.
- The species displays a polygynous mating system where males perform aerial displays over territories to attract multiple females.
- It is closely related to and was previously categorized as a subspecies of the Marsh Widowbird (Euplectes hartlaubi).
- The distinct buff-colored shoulder patches are formed by the lesser wing-coverts and provide a key field mark against other widowbirds.
- Unlike some other widowbirds, its tail is relatively broad and floppy, often trailing conspicuously during its slow, undulating display flights.
Habitat
High-altitude montane grasslands, moist dambos, and marshy valley bottoms.
Range
Southern Highlands of Tanzania, northern Malawi, and northeastern Zambia.
Similar & commonly confused birds
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