Copyright: AW/monacoeye • Do not copy without permission. Kinshasa, Dec 2010

Bird name: Blue Waxbill
Latin: Uraeginthus angolensis
Other: Blue-breasted Cordon Bleu • Southern Cordon-bleu
Family: Estrildidae • Cordon-bleus

Many of the African birds seem to go by several English names. This little guy is known as the Southern Cordon-bleu, or Blue-breasted Cordon-bleu, or Blue Waxbill.

Above, near a waterfall near Kinshasa, DRC. (It looks very similar to female Red-Cheeked Cordon Bleu but Blue Waxbill is the common type in Kinshasa)

Below, a Blue Waxbill, seen in the hotel grounds in Luanda Angola.

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Copyright: AW/monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Kinshasa • Nov 2009

Bird name: Black Necked Weaver
Latin: Ploceus nigricollis
Other:
Family: Ploceidae • Weavers
Range: Tropical Africa, Angola to Tanzania

Another female Black-necked Weaver, above, here seen in Kinshasa in the Congo in December, others seen in Brazzaville. This one seems more orange than the yellower ones seen in Angola, below in “more photos”.More photos...

Photos copyright: AW/monacoeye • Luanda • November 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Purple Banded Sunbird
Latin: Nectarinia bifasciata
Other: Cinnyris bifasciatus
Family: Nectariniidae • Sunbirds

Probably a Purple-banded Sunbird, but could be a Crimson Sunbird. Seen in Luanda, Angola. Female above, male below.

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Photo copyright: A/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Angola • Nov 2009

Bird name: Red Backed Mousebird
Latin: Colius castanotus
Other:
Family: Coliidae • Mousebirds

These Mousebirds, the first on the site, have been identified for me as Red-backed Mousebirds, which are endemic to Angola and the DRC. Although the Red-backed Mousebird looks similar to the Speckled Mousebird, I am told the Red-backed Mousebird is the one seen in Luanda, so that’s what I’m going with here. This group were in the hotel grounds.

There are only six species of Mousebird in the world, all living in sub-Saharan Africa. They form their own order, the Coliiformes, which is close to Passeriformes.More photos...

Photo copyright: A/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Angola • Nov 2009

Bird name: Grey Headed Sparrow
Latin: Passer griseus
Other: Northern Grey Headed Sparrow, Gray-headed Sparrow
Family: Passeridae • Sparrows

Here is the Northern Grey-headed Sparrow, Africa’s answer to the House Sparrow.More photos...

Photo copyright: Euclides/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Angola • Nov 2009

Bird name: Village Weaver
Latin: Ploceus cucullatus
Other: Spotted-backed Weaver • Black-headed Weaver
Family: Ploceidae • Weavers

This is a black-headed Village Weaver, a male presumably. Thanks to Euclides for sending it in!More photos...

Photo copyright: A/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Angola • Nov 2009

Bird name: Spectacled Weaver
Latin: Ploceus ocularis
Other:
Family: Ploceidae • Weavers

A pair of Spectacled Weavers, again seen in the hotel grounds in Luanda.More photos...