The bar-winged weaver is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae. It is found in Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Zambia.
Region
South-Central Africa
Typical Environment
Primarily inhabits mature and lightly disturbed miombo woodlands dominated by Brachystegia and Julbernardia in Angola, the southern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and western to north-central Zambia. Prefers areas with older trees, rough bark, and a semi-open understory. Also occurs along woodland edges, dambos, and in mosaics of dry woodland and savanna. It avoids dense rainforest and very open treeless savanna. Local presence is patchy, tracking quality miombo stands.
Altitude Range
900–1600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A scarce miombo-woodland specialist, the bar-winged weaver is notable for its bold pale wing-bars and bark-gleaning foraging style. It often works along trunks and larger branches, prying insects from fissured bark. Unlike many colonial weavers, it is typically encountered in pairs or small family groups. Habitat loss in miombo regions can locally affect its numbers.
Temperament
active and alert; usually shy and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief undulating hops between trees
Social Behavior
Most often seen in pairs or small family parties, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks in miombo. Nests are woven and suspended from branches, with males playing a key role in construction. Breeding generally coincides with the onset of rains, when insect prey peaks. Territoriality is moderate around nesting sites.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a thin, high-pitched series of trills and buzzy chips delivered from mid-canopy perches. Calls include sharp tsee and soft chatter notes exchanged between mates while foraging.
Plumage
Compact weaver with clean, contrasting patterning; the wings show bold pale bars across the coverts, set off against darker upperparts. The back and mantle are subtly streaked, with paler buff or whitish edges. Underparts are pale buff to whitish, sometimes with a warm wash on the flanks. The tail is fairly short and dusky with lighter edging.
Diet
Feeds mainly on arthropods, including beetles, caterpillars, larvae, spiders, and other small insects gleaned from bark and twigs. It probes into crevices and under loose bark, occasionally hammering or prying with the bill. Will opportunistically take small seeds or flower parts but these form a minor portion of the diet. Foraging is methodical, moving trunk to trunk within a small territory.
Preferred Environment
Forages on large-barked miombo trees, especially in mid to lower canopy and along trunks. Frequently uses edges, gaps, and older woodland where bark is rough and fissured. Sometimes joins mixed flocks to exploit disturbed insects.
