Lesser masked weaver

The lesser masked weaver (Ploceus intermedius) is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae. It builds its nests in large colonies, often alongside the village weaver and sometimes the red-billed buffalo weaver. This species is commonly parasitised by the Diederik cuckoo. It is found in eastern, south-eastern and southern Africa.

Lesser masked weaver
Male
A female with pale leg and iris colour
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Ploceidae
Genus:	Ploceus
Species:	P. intermedius
Binomial name
Ploceus intermedius Rüppell, 1845

Taxonomy and systematics

There are two subspecies:[2]

• P. i. intermedius Rüppell, 1845 – From Djibouti to central Tanzania
• P. i. cabanisii (W. K. H. Peters, 1868) – African west coast and southern Africa

Synonyms are P. i. beattyi in Angola and P. i. luebberti in Namibia

References

1. BirdLife International (2012). "Ploceus intermedius". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)old-form url
2. "Lesser Masked Weaver (Ploceus intermedius)". Internet Bird Collection. Lynx Edicions. Retrieved 21 October 2012.

External links

• Lesser masked weaver - Species text in Weaver Watch.
• Lesser masked weaver - Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds.