• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Climate Change maps
• Reference and further resources

Taxonomic note
Ploceus katangae was formerly split as P. katangae and P. upembae (del Hoyo and Collar 2016), which were previously lumped as P. katangae following Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993). However, further data needed to confirm the specific status of upembae, which was first described as a subspecies of P. velatus. Form upembae differs from katangae its pale olive-green nape merging with mantle vs yellow nape demarcated sharply from olive-green mantle by vague narrow blackish line (2); reduced black on front of head, resulting in narrower forehead and not extending around eyes (2); mantle to rump and wing-coverts plain yellowish olive-green, without blackish streaks and edgings (2); females and eclipse males dorsally washed olive vs warm brownish (Louette 1987) (ns1); larger bill (8.4–8.7 mm vs 7–7.6 deeper, 6.5–7.1 vs 5.5–5.9 wider and 18 vs 17.2 longer (Louette 1987); allow 2). In the past often considered conspecific with P. velatus, P. ruweti, P. reichardi and P. vitellinus. Two subspecies recognised.

Taxonomic source(s)
Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International. 2023. Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International digital checklist of the birds of the world. Version 8. Available at: https://datazone.birdlife.org/userfiles/file/Species/Taxonomy/HBW-BirdLife_Checklist_v8_Dec23.zip.

Population justification: This is a poorly known species and no population estimates are available. It remains relatively easy to encounter at known sites such as Bengweulu (eBird 2023), though does not congregate in large numbers. The area of apparently suitable habitat for the species is large and very poorly surveyed, suggesting that the population is unlikely to be small despite the restricted range. There is no evidence that the area of suitable habitat has reduced significantly at known sites, many of which are protected. Given the lack of information available the population size is considered unknown.

Trend justification: At the known sites for the species habitat extent appears to be largely unchanged over at least several decades and there do not seem to be direct threats operating that may be driving population reductions. However, given the lack of information from Upemba and low level of coverage elsewhere in the range the current population trend is considered unknown, but is not suspected to be suffering a rapid reduction.

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Katanga Masked Weaver Ploceus katangae. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/katanga-masked-weaver-ploceus-katangae on 22/11/2024.
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 22/11/2024.