19-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - WHITE BROWED SPARROW WEAVER (Plocepasser mahili)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/14115-Plocepasser-mahali

19-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - WHITE BROWED SPARROW WEAVER (Plocepasser mahili)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/14115-Plocepasser-mahali

29-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - WHITE BROWED SPARROW WEAVER (Plocepasser mahili)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/14115-Plocepasser-mahali

23-5-2019 MANA POOLS, ZIMBABWE - WHITE BROWED SPARROW WEAVER (Plocepasser mahili)

28-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - WHITE BROWED SPARROW WEAVER (Plocepasser mahili)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/14115-Plocepasser-mahali

28-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - WHITE BROWED SPARROW WEAVER (Plocepasser mahili)

27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - WHITE BROWED SPARROW WEAVER (Plocepasser mahili)

20-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - WHITE BROWED SPARROW WEAVER (Plocepasser mahili)

17-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - WHITE BROWED SPARROW WEAVER (Plocepasser mahili)

12-4-2018 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE - WHITE BROWED SPARROW WEAVER (Plocepasser mahili)

9-4-2018 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE - WHITE BROWED SPARROW WEAVER (Plocepasser mahili)

The white-browed sparrow-weaver (Plocepasser mahali) is a predominantly brown, sparrow-sized bird found throughout central and north-central southern Africa. It is found in groups of two to eleven individuals consisting of one breeding pair and other non-reproductive individuals.

During his expedition to the interior of southern Africa in 1834–35, Andrew Smith collected specimens of the white-browed sparrow weaver at the Modder River, which he described in 1836, giving it the scientific name Plocepasser mahali.

Smith did not provide an explanation for the species epithet mahali, but is clear it is not a Latin name. Probably it is derived from the vernacular name for the bird in Setswana mogale or from the Sesotho word mohale, a brave or fierce person, which suggests the bird's name may refer to its angry scolding.

The white-browed sparrow-weaver is found in greatest numbers in north-central southern Africa. While this species most densely populates dry regions with woodland or wooded grassland at northern South Africa, its range includes Botswana, northern and central Namibia, and western Zimbabwe. It is seen very often in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia and southern Malawi. Populations may be found as far north as Ethiopia. Populations are sedentary.

Breeding has been observed year round, but occurs mainly in warmer months. Year round, groups of the white-browed sparrow-weaver are active and nest-building. Groups of ten to sixty inverted-U-shaped nests of dry grass appear in the outside limbs of trees, although only several are used for breeding or roosting. While breeding nests have only one entrance, roosting nests have an entrance located at each of the two nest extremities. The construction of these nests shows cultural variations. Research has shown that, throughout a region, nests are located at the leeward side of a tree. This behavior preserves a greater number of intact nests for breeding and roosting. White-browed sparrow-weaver nests are sometimes used by other birds, such as the red-headed finch and ashy tit.