About Ploceus benghalensis (Linnaeus, 1758)
Ploceus benghalensis, commonly called the black-breasted weaver, is a sparrow-sized bird that reaches a total body length of about 15 cm. Breeding males have a bright golden-yellow crown, along with variable amounts of black on the head and breast. Some breeding males have an entirely black head (excluding the yellow crown) and entirely black breast, while others have a whitish throat, or an entirely buffy-white face with a black band that separates the face from the fulvous-white underparts. Non-breeding males and females have brown crowns that match the color of the rest of their upperpart plumage, and their black pectoral band is less developed. These individuals have a prominent supercilium, a spot behind the ear, and narrow pale yellow moustachial streaks. Flocks of this species are often found foraging and living in cultivated areas, reedy margins around tanks and jheels (shallow lakes), and large expanses of tall grass. This species is either resident or a local migrant, and it is endemic to South Asia. It is recorded as common across at least parts of its range. It occurs throughout the northern section of the Indian subcontinent, with small isolated populations in the Peninsular region. Known local names for this species include Sarbo baya in Hindi, and in Bengali it is called কালোবুক বাবুই (Kalo-buk babui), বাংলা বাবুই (Bangla babui), শর বাজা (Shor baJa), and কান্তাওয়ালা বায়া (Kantawala baya).
