• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
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Justification of Red List category
This species qualifies as Vulnerable as its population is declining rapidly as a result of habitat clearance for subsistence agriculture.

Population justification
The population size is preliminarily suspected to fall into the band 10,000-19,999 individuals. This equates to 6,667-13,333 mature individuals, rounded here to 6,000-15,000 mature individuals.

Trend justification
The species's population is estimated to be declining in line with the clearance and degradation of forest within its range. Between 2003-2016, the numbers per point count decreased from 0.45 to 0.28 individuals (J. Riegert 2020, unpublished data) a decline of 37%. This equates to a decline of 31% over three generations, hence the overall rate of decline is placed in the 30-49% band. Based on ongoing deforestation, the population is suspected to continue at this rate into the future.

Ploceus bannermani occurs in western Cameroon (chiefly in the Bamenda Highlands, notably at Mt Oku) and eastern Nigeria (on the Obudu Plateaux, where 12-40 were seen per day in 1988). In 1999, it was found to be common in suitable habitat on the crater of Mt Manenguba, south-west Cameroon (Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett 1999) and, in 1998, rare or local at Kodmin in the nearby Bakossi Mountains, this latter representing a small range-extension to the south-west (Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett 1998). In Mendongbuo (Big Babanki, Cameroon) montane area was recorded at 22 of 50 counting points (Reif et al. 2006; Hořák et al. 2009). Between 2003-2016, the numbers per point count decreased from 0.45 to 0.28 individuals (J. Riegert unpublished data), probably as a result of bush cover shortage.

It occurs at 1,100-2,900 m, occupying forest edge and dense, shrubby habitat in more open parts of montane forest (Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett 1998) and even farmland, where there are some natural trees and shrubs (J. DeMarco in litt. 2000). On the Obudu Plateau, it occurs along the edges of narrow strips of forest in deep ravines. It would appear to tolerate a certain amount of forest degradation (Elgood et al. 1994), and occupies a variety of deforested habitats including Pteridium aquilinum growth (Reif et al. 2007). Breeding has been observed in the Bamenda Highlands in November – December, with three nests found on Pycnostachys eminii (Lamiaceae) (J. Riegert unpublished data). At the Obudu Plateau peak breeding time has been observed to be between August and October, which may overlap with the species's moulting period (Barshep and Manu 2013) Breeding has also been observed in December and January at Lake Manengouba, and in November in Danko Forest Reserve, Nigeria.

There is considerable loss of habitat in the Bamenda Highlands due to clearance for agriculture, grazing, firewood-collection and timber-extraction (J. DeMarco in litt. 2000). Forest fires are probably responsible for the greatest proportion of habitat loss (P. Forboseh in litt. 2003), for example c.500 ha of forest was burnt around Lake Oku in March 2000 (J. DeMarco in litt. 2000). However, the status of forest patches in Manenguba Crater is satisfactory and under very little human pressure (Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett 1999). Plans for a 70,000 ha palm oil plantation threaten to significantly fragment large areas of suitable habitat in southwestern Cameroon if approved (Linder et al. 2012).

Conservation Actions Underway
Local communities are actively engaged in conserving montane forest at Mt Oku, with support from the Kilum-Ijim Forest Project (J. DeMarco in litt. 2000). There is an ongoing programme to monitor the condition of forest there, as well as the overall extent of forest cover in the Bamenda Highlands (J. DeMarco in litt. 2000). Community-based conservation activities was extended to other forest fragments in the Bamenda Highlands in 2000 (J. DeMarco in litt. 2000). A small area of forest is protected on the Obudu Plateau, and the montane area within the Gashaka-Gumti National Park, adjacent to Mambilla Plateau, affords good protection to the species (P. Hall in litt. 1999).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct field surveys on the Mambilla and Obudu Plateaux in Nigeria to ascertain the species's status there (P. Hall in litt. 1999). Conduct surveys in forest patches and other suitable habitat in the Cameroon mountains which are as yet unsurveyed (F. Maisels in litt. 1998; J. DeMarco in litt. 2000). Assess the total population size. Carry out regular surveys to monitor population trends. Monitor rates of forest clearance and degradation within its range.
Increase the area of suitable habitat that is covered by protected areas and community-based conservation management.

13-14 cm. Medium-sized weaver. Greenish-olive upperparts except for crown and nape which are rich, golden-yellow. Black face and throat, imparting masked effect. Remainder of underparts bright golden-yellow. Black bill and legs. Female identical to male. Voice Undescribed. Hints Birds sometimes occur in small groups.

Text account compilers
Clark, J.

Contributors
Benstead, P., DeMarco, J,, Dowsett-Lemaire, F., Ekstrom, J., Forboseh, P.F., Hall, P., Maisels, F., Riegert, J., Shutes, S., Symes, A., Taylor, J., Thomas, D., Westrip, J.R.S. & Whytock, R.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Bannerman's Weaver Ploceus bannermani. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/bannermans-weaver-ploceus-bannermani on 23/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/12/2024.