Village Weaver
NameVillage Weaver
Common NameVillage Weaver
Scientific NamePloceus cucullatus
FamilyPloceidae
Wingspan (cm)22.5
Length (cm)16
Weight (g)37.5
Plumage DetailsMales in breeding plumage have a black head, chestnut nape, yellow underparts, and a black back streaked with yellow. Females and non-breeding males, like the one pictured, are duller with olive-green upperparts, yellowish underparts, and a pale yellow supercilium.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include a harsh 'chick-chick-chick' and a buzzing 'zzzzzzzzzt', often given in noisy choruses, especially at colonies.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsgrassland, urban, forest
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeWidespread across sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal and Mauritania east to Ethiopia and south to South Africa. Also introduced to some Caribbean islands.
Identifying Featuresstrong conical bill, elaborate woven nests, social behavior, yellowish-green plumage (females/non-breeding), sexual dimorphism
Description
The Village Weaver is a highly social passerine bird known for its intricate woven nests. Males in breeding plumage are strikingly colored, while females and non-breeding males exhibit a more subdued yellowish-green appearance. They are often found in large, noisy colonies.
