toppvever Malimbus malimbicus

A mostly red-headed malimbe of forest and forest edge, sometimes occurring on farms, where it is partial to foraging on larger branches. Body is overall glossy black with a distinctive red head and a small black mask around the eyes. Has a red crest, but this can be hard to see at certain angles. Occurs in small groups or with mixed-species flocks, sometimes with other species of malimbe. Crested Malimbe is unique with its combination of red chin in males and females, red restricted to the throat on the undersides, and black vent. Like other malimbes, song and calls include mechanical rasps, dry chatters, and complex combinations of the two.