Photo: Davidk79 / CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Montane Widowbird
Euplectes psammacromius
Montane Widowbird (Euplectes psammacromius) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Montane Widowbird (Euplectes psammacromius) is a member of the Ploceidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 35.5 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Ploceidae Weavers, Widowbirds
- Genus Euplectes
- Species psammacromius
Quick facts
- Weight
- 35.5 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Ploceidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Montane Widowbird is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Montane Widowbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Montane Widowbird (Euplectes psammacromius) belongs to the Ploceidae family of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF c Tanzania to ne Zambia and n Malawi.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 35.5 g, with a wing length of about 9.5 cm and a tail of around 14.3 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 35,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Montane Widowbird?
The Montane Widowbird is a small bird that weighs around 35.5 g.
Where does the Montane Widowbird live?
The Montane Widowbird is found across Africa with a range covering AF c Tanzania to ne Zambia and n Malawi, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Montane Widowbird belong to?
The Montane Widowbird (Euplectes psammacromius) belongs to the Ploceidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Montane Widowbird eat?
The Montane Widowbird is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Montane Widowbird migrate?
The Montane Widowbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Montane Widowbird endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Montane Widowbird make?
1 real field recording of the Montane Widowbird — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Montane Widowbird's range?
The Montane Widowbird has a mapped global range of about 35,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
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