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

Justification of Red List category
Although this species may have a small range, it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km² combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Population justification
This is a poorly known species and no population estimates are available.

Trend justification
The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of any significant threats.

Ploceus ruweti is restricted to Kiubo Falls (Craig et al. 2011) in the southern Democratic Republic of Congo, and Lake Lafira (now Lake Tshangalele) where it was common in 1960 (when the type-specimen was collected) and readily observed on recent "rediscovery" visits (Louette and Hasson 2009; Craig et al. 2011; R. de Cauwer in litt. 2014).

It is found in the swamps bordering Lake Lufira (now Lake Tshangalele), and at Kiubo Falls (and presumably along the river between these two sites [Craig et al. 2011]), where it occurs in reedbeds of Phragmites and Typha (usually in Aeschynome elaphroxylon trees standing in water, rather than on the reeds themselves), interspersed with bushes and Sesbania leptocarpa, as well as on dry land in the trees bordering cultivated maize fields. It is generally restricted to within 100 m of the water's edge. The breeding season lasts from January until April, and colonies vary in size from 3-20 nests; nests are often found in Acacia trees (Craig et al. 2011). Birds normally raise two broods per breeding season.

The building of a dam on the Lufira River has commenced, 40 km downriver of the Kiubo Falls. Once completed, a new 40 km² lake will be created. It is not certain what effect this will have on this species, as P. ruweti has previously adapted to the creation of Lake Tshangalele (M. Hasson in litt. 2020).

Conservation Actions Underway
None are known.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey Lake Lufira and Lufira River up to Kiubo Falls (and towards Lake Upemba) to estimate population. Study ecological requirements and threats.

Text account compilers
Symes, A., Khwaja, N., Westrip, J.R.S., Clark, J., Martin, R., Shutes, S.

Contributors
Hasson, M., Louette, M., Oschadleus, H. D. & de Cauwer, R.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Lufira Masked Weaver Ploceus ruweti. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/lufira-masked-weaver-ploceus-ruweti on 23/11/2024.
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 23/11/2024.