Donaldson Smith's Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser donaldsoni Scientific name definitions

17 cm; 35–45 g. Large sparrow-like weaver with scaly crown and white rump. Forehead and crown are dark brown with pale edges, producing scaly effect; nape and upperparts brown, rump white; upperwing and tail dark brown, wing-coverts with prominent white edges; chin and throat white, narrow black malar stripe extending to level of wing; breast white, light brown central streaks on feathers sometimes forming broad band on underparts, flanks light brown, belly, thighs and undertail-coverts white; iris reddish; bill black; legs light brown. Sexes alike. Juvenile lacks scalloping on crown, has malar stripe indistinct, breast less clearly marked, flanks pale buff, iris brown, bill horn-coloured, legs greyish.

Grass seeds and insects noted in stomach contents. Forages on ground. Occurs in small flocks, sometimes in association with Dinemellia dinemelli.

Song a rambling combination of varied notes, including harsh sounds, whistles and warbling, loudest at beginning and end of phrase; lower frequency than that of sympatric P. mahali in Kenya. Usually sings from nest. Contact calls a loud "chink-chink" and a soft "cluk cluk".

Breeds in Jan, Jun, Jul, Sept and Dec in Kenya. No information on mating system; probably a co-operative breeder. Nest a tube of dry grass stems, described as like that of other sparrow-weavers, placed 1·5-3 m above ground in low thorn tree or bush, up to 20 nests in single tree. Clutch size not recorded; eggs pinkish or greyish, with fine, diffuse speckles of mauve and reddish-brown. No other information.