Sao Tome Weaver Ploceus sanctithomae Scientific name definitions

14 cm; 20–24 g. Male has cinnamon-orange forehead and face down onto breast, black crown forming distinct cap and becoming dark chocolate-brown on mantle and back, rump buffy brown; upperwing and tail dark brown, remiges with narrow yellow edges, wing-coverts with brownish-buff or pale edges and pale tips (forming wingbars on median and greater coverts); lores and short, narrow line behind eye black, broken yellowish eyering; belly greyish buff with orange wash, flanks buff, belly dull white in centre, thighs and undertail-coverts buffy brown; iris dark reddish-brown; bill blackish above, horn-grey below; legs dusky pinkish. Female resembles male in pattern, but with less black on crown, paler, browner upperparts, less richly coloured underparts; chin and throat dull white, broad buff band across breast; bill dusky pinkish-brown, darker and duller on culmen. Juvenile resembles female, but forehead, crown and nape all dull brown, whitish supercilium, cheek and ear-coverts, bill light brown, paler on lower mandible.

São Tomé I, in Gulf of Guinea.

Seeds, also insects such as ants (Formicidae) and caterpillars (Lepidoptera); also spiders (Araneae), and nectar from Erythrina trees. Forages in groups of up to 20 individuals, also as pairs or family parties. Searches at all levels in trees, moving both up and down branches and trunks in manner of a nuthatch (Sittidae), removing lichen and moss, probing crevices and dead leaves; uses open-bill probing on occasion; may hang upside-down . Hawks insects in flight.

Song opens slowly with clear notes, then accelerates into chatter, "wait way-tseea tseea chatatatatrrrr-a". Common vocalization "tchim-tchim-tcholo", used in contact, and in chorus by birds foraging together; also a repeated "psink"; harsher "chuk" in alarm. Regular vocal interactions both within and between groups.