Sakalava Weaver
Ploceus sakalava
Silhouette: Sheatherius · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyPloceidae (Weavers and Allies)
- GenusPloceus (Typical Weavers)
- SpeciesPloceus sakalava (Sakalava Weaver)
About the Sakalava Weaver
The Sakalava weaver (Ploceus sakalava) sometimes known as the Sakalava fody is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. The bird is 15 cm (5.9 in) long and weighs 20–28 g (0.71–0.99 oz). The Sakalava weaver was first described by Gustav Hartlaub in 1861, based on a specimen collected by Victor Sganzin during an expedition in 1831–32 on Madagascar. The species epithet sakalava is derived from the Sakalava, whose name means "people of the long valleys". The first English name was given to the bird only in 1891 by James Sibree, who named it Sakalava Weaver-bird. Sakalava weaver has been designated the official name by the International Ornithological Committee (IOC). Another English name that is sometimes used is Sakalava Fody. Local names in the Malagasy language include fodibeotse, fodisahy, tsiaka, draky and zaky.
Based on recent DNA-analysis, the genus Ploceus is almost certainly polyphyletic. If all species currently included in the genus would remain and the genus would be made monophyletic, it would have to encompass the entire subfamily Ploceinae. The Ploceinae can be divided into two groups. In the first group, the widowbirds and... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Sakalava Weaver in Ankarafantsika National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Ankarafantsika National Park
Madagascar Fody
Foudia madagascariensis
Crested Drongo
Dicrurus forficatus
Madagascar Paradise-Flycatcher
Terpsiphone mutata
Madagascar Bulbul
Hypsipetes madagascariensis
Souimanga Sunbird
Cinnyris sovimanga
Madagascar Magpie-Robin
Copsychus albospecularis
Common Newtonia
Newtonia brunneicauda
Long-billed Bernieria
Bernieria madagascariensis
Rufous Vanga
Schetba rufa
Common Jery
Neomixis tenella
Sickle-billed Vanga
Falculea palliata
Schlegel's Asity
Philepitta schlegeli
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berenty Reserve | 🇲🇬 Madagascar | |
| 2 | Ankarafantsika National Park | 🇲🇬 Madagascar | |
| 3 | Ranomafana National Park | 🇲🇬 Madagascar |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Sakalava Weaver in Ankarafantsika National Park?
About 30% of wildlife watchers report a Sakalava Weaver sighting in Ankarafantsika National Park, based on 137 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Sakalava Weaver in Ankarafantsika National Park?
February has the highest sighting rate for Sakalava Weaver in Ankarafantsika National Park in our monthly data.