Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a small and declining population owing to the ongoing destruction and fragmentation of its lowland forest habitat. It is therefore classified as Vulnerable.
Population justification
The population is estimated to number 2,500-9,999 mature individuals based on an assessment of known records, descriptions of abundance and range size. This is consistent with recorded population density estimates for congeners or close relatives with a similar body size, and the fact that only a proportion of the estimated Extent of Occurrence is likely to be occupied. This estimate is equivalent to 3,750-14,999 individuals in total, rounded here to 3,500-15,000 individuals.
Trend justification
The species has a high forest dependency, hence its population is inferred to be declining in line with the clearance of forest within its range. Between 2001-2019, 13% of forest was lost from this species's range (Global Forest Watch 2020), equating to a rate of 9% over three generations. The overall likely rate of decline is therefore placed in the band 1-15% over three generations.
Ploceus flavipes is known only from central and eastern Ituri Forest in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where it would appear to be uncommon (J. Hart in litt. 2000). It occurs from Avakubi east to Simbo and Campi y Wanbuti, south to Ukaika, and then east to Lima, Tungudu and Makayobe. There are fewer than ten known specimens, taken between 1910 and 1959, and only two sight records since, from Okapi Faunal Reserve in 1990 and 1994. The paucity of records has led to the suggestion that it might possibly not be a valid species - records instead representing occasional hybrids, most likely between Ploceus nigerrimus and P. albinucha (Craig 2005) - however it is uncertain why hybrids should apparently only occur in a tiny part of the the easternmost fringe of the ranges of the putative parents (and P. nigerrimus is not a bird of intact forest) (L. D. C. Fishpool in litt. 2010). It may prove to be a valid species which occurs at very low densities in a poorly-known region.
It appears to be restricted to lowland rainforest, where it is found in the tops of tall and medium-sized trees. Its diet includes caterpillars. The breeding season may start around September.
Its habitat is in serious danger from forest clearance, mainly for agriculture. It is likely that the rate of deforestation has increased in recent years as a result of warfare (Kanyamibwa 1995).
Conservation Actions Underway
It occurs in the Okapi Faunal Reserve.
20 cm. Large, all-black forest weaver with white eye. At close range in direct sunlight shows greenish edges to head and mantle feathers, which gives a scaling effect. Brown vent. Female a duller version of male and lacks green sheen. Bright yellow legs and feet are diagnostic. Juvenile is brownish overall with shadow of yellow collar and olive on belly and vent. Pale flesh legs. Similar spp. Vieillot's Black Weaver P. nigerrimus lacks greenish sheen and yellow legs and toes and does not usually occur in deep forest. Maxwell's Black Weaver P. albinucha also all-black with pale eye, but lacks yellow legs and feet. Voice Undescribed.
Text account compilers
Clark, J.
Contributors
Bird, J., Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Fishpool, L., Hart, J., Shutes, S., Symes, A., Taylor, J. & Westrip, J.R.S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Yellow-legged Weaver Ploceus flavipes. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/yellow-legged-weaver-ploceus-flavipes 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.