African golden weaver

Ploceus subaureus

Photo by Guy Poisson (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
African golden weaver (en); tecelão-amarelo (pt); tisserin jaune (fr); tejedor dorado africano (es); goldweber (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Ploceidae

Range:
This species is found in East Africa, from south-eastern Kenya, through Tanzania and Mozambique, and into Swaziland and south-eastern South Africa.

Size:
This species is about 15 cm long. Males tend to be larger than females, weighing 30-39 g while females weigh 22-31 g.

Habitat:
The African golden weaver is mostly found in river flood plains, coastal plains, estuaries and lowland river valleys, being restricted to reedbeds and adjacent riverine vegetation during the breeding season, but also else wet and flooded grasslands during the rest of the year. they occur from sea level up to an altitude of 1.300 m.

Diet:
They feed on seeds, insects and nectar, particularly grass seeds including rice, termite alates and nectar of Aloe and Erythrina. They are also known to eat flower of wild tobacco Nicotiana glauca.

Breeding:
African golden weavers breed in September-April. They are possibly polygynous and nest in colonies of up to 50 nests, sometimes together with other weavers. The males build multiple nests, spherical structures woven from grass stems, attached to reeds 1-2 m above the water and lined with. When a female selects a nest, she lines it with softer grass and lays 2-4 eggs. She incubates the eggs alone. The chicks fledge 19-22 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is reported to be locally common to abundant.
The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Taveta golden weaver

Ploceus castaneiceps

Photo by Artur Bujanowicz (Bird Watching)

Common name:
Taveta golden weaver (en); tecelão-dourado-de-cabeça-castanha (pt); tisserin de Taveta (fr); tejedor Taveta (es); genickbandweber (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Ploceidae

Range:
This species is found in south-eastern Kenya and north-eastern Tanzania.

Size:
These birds are 14 cm long and weigh 18-24 g.

Habitat:
The Taveta golden weaver breeds in marshes and swamps, using nearby dry savannas, dry scrublands and dry tropical forests during the rest of the year.

Diet:
They feed mainly on grass seeds, also taking agricultural crops such as maize, and some insects such as ants.

Breeding:
These birds breed in September-May. They are believed to be polygynous and nest in large colonies. Each nest is an oval structure woven by the male with grasses and attached to two or more grass stems or reeds. The female lays 2-3 glossy, dark live-green eggs, which are incubated for 13 days. The chicks fledge about 14 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a relatively large breeding range and is reported to be common. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Southern masked-weaver

Ploceus velatus

Photo by Ian White (Flickr)

Common name:
southern masked-weaver (en); tecelão-de-mascarilha (pt); tisserin à tête rousse (fr); tejedor enmascarado (es); maskenweber (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Ploceidae

Range:
This species is found in southern Africa, from southern Angola, Zambia and Malawi south to South Africa. It has also been introduced to the island of São Tomé.

Size:
These birds are 11-15 cm long and weigh 25-35 g.

Habitat:
The southern masked-weaver is found in semi-arid scrublands and open savannas, edges of dry tropical forests, riverine thickets, pastures and arable land with scattered trees, plantations, rural gardens and urban areas.

Diet:
They feed on seeds of grasses and other plants, fruits, flowers and nectar, as well as adult and larval insects, and human scraps.

Breeding:
Southern masked-weavers breed in July-April. They are polygynous, with males building nests to attract females and then mating with up to 12 females in a single breeding season. They nest in colonies of up to 9 males, and each nest is a kidney-shaped structure with a large entrance on the bottom, made of woven grass, palm leaves or reeds with a ceiling of leaves. It is placed hanging from a tree, reed or even a barbed wire fence. If a female accepts the nest she will line it with leaves, grass inflorescences and feathers, and lay 2-4 eggs that can have various colour to evade parasitisation by cuckoos. The female incubates the eggs alone for 12-14 days and then feeds the chicks alone until they fledge 15-17 days after hatching. Each female can raise multiple broods per season.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as common to abundant in most of this range. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats. In fact, they adapted well to the introduction of man-made habitats, using Eucalyptus and other alien trees in areas which were previously barren, such as the Namib desert.

Red-headed weaver

Anaplectes rubriceps

Photo by Ian White (Flickr)

Common name:
red-headed weaver (en); tecelão-de-cabeça-vermelha (pt); anaplecte écarlate (fr); tejedor cabecirrojo (es); scharlachweber (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Ploceidae

Range:
This species is found in sub-Saharan African, being found along the Sahel belt from Senegal to Sudan, and from Ethiopia south to north-eastern South Africa and west to Angola and northern Namibia.

Size:
These birds are 14-15 cm long and weigh about 20 g.

Habitat:
The red-headed weaver is mostly found in dry savannas and woodlands, but also uses moist tropical forests, scrublands and rural gardens. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.800 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on insects and spiders, but also take seeds and fruits.

Breeding:
Red-headed weavers are monogamous or some times polygynous. They breed in July-February. The male builds the nest alone, consisting of an upside-down bottle-shaped structure made of leaf midribs, twigs, grass stems, broad leaves and tendrils. Once it is approved by the female she lines the interior with bark fibres, feathers, dry grass or leaves. It is typically strung from a few twigs beneath the canopy of a tree, or on man-made objects such as windmill vanes, telephone wires and edge of thatched roof. It is often located near the nests of other weavers or even raptors. The female lays 2-3 eggs, which she incubates alone for 12-13 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge about 17 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is reported to be uncommon to common. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Grey-capped social-weaver

Pseudonigrita arnaudi

Photo by Dick Daniels (Wikipedia)

Common name:
grey-capped social-weaver (en); tecelão-de-barrete-cinzento (pt); républicain d'Arnaud (fr); tejedor social de Arnaud (es); marmorspätzling (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Ploceidae

Range:
This African species is found from southern Sudan and southern Ethiopia, through eastern Uganda, Kenya and southern Somalia, and into Tanzania.

Size:
These birds are 10-12 cm long and weigh 18-20 g.

Habitat:
The grey-capped social-weaver is found in dry savannas and dry tropical scrublands, from sea level up to an altitude of 1.400 m.

Diet:
They feed on grass seeds and insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, termites and caterpillars.

Breeding:These birds can breed all year round, but especially during the local rainy season. They nest in dense colonies, sometimes with over 100 nests in a single tree, each nest consisting of a large spherical structure with two entrances on the bottom, It is made of grass blades and lined with finer grasses. The female lays 2-3 eggs which are incubated by both parents for about 14 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and often also by helpers and fledge about 20 days after hatching.

Conservation:IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as uncommon to locally common. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Orange weaver

Ploceus aurantius

Photo by Jonas Rosquist (PBase)

Common name:
orange weaver (en); tecelão-laranja (pt); tisserin orangé (fr); tejedor anaranjado (es); königsweber (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Ploceidae

Range:
This species is patchily distributed from Sierra Leone to Cameroon, south to north-western Angola and east through D.R. Congo into Uganda, western Kenya and Tanzania.

Size:
These bird are 12-13 cm long and weigh 20-25 g.

Habitat:
The orange weaver in coastal lagoons and other saline wetlands, but also in freshwater lakes, moist scrublands, wet grasslands and farmland.

Diet:
They feed on grass seeds, berries and some insects.

Breeding:
Orange weavers are polygynous, with each male mating with up to 3 females. They nest among reed beds, near water and the female lays 3-5 eggs. The eggs are incubated for 12-14 days. There is no information regarding the fledgling period.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is reported to be common to uncommon and common on coastal areas. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Orange bishop

Euplectes franciscanus

Photo by Henrique Pires (Flickr)

Common name:
orange bishop (en); bispo-laranja (pt); euplecte franciscain (fr); obispo anaranjado (es); feuerwida (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family  Ploceidae

Range:
This species is found along the Sahel belt in sub-Saharan Africa, from southern Mauritania to Liberia and east to Sudan, Kenya and Ethiopia. It has been introduced to the Caribbean islands of Puerto Rico, Martinique and Guadeloupe, as well as Bermuda and Japan

Size:
These birds are 11-15 cm long and weigh 11-16 g.

Habitat:
The orange bishop is mostly found in wet, tropical grasslands, but also in dry grasslands, dry savannas and arable land.

Diet:
They feed mainly on green and ripe seeds of various grasses and small scrubs, which they pick directly from the plant. They also hunt insects during the breeding season.

Breeding:
Orange bishops are polygamous and form small breeding colonies. The nest is a globe made of grasses, suspended from a scrub near the ground. The female lays 2-5 white eggs which she incubates alone for 12 days. She raises the chicks alone, until they fledge 13-14 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as common to abundant throughout this range. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Jackson's widowbird

Euplectes jacksoni

Photo by Szymon Beuch (Forum Przyroda)

Common name:
Jackson's widowbird (en); bispo-de-Jackson (pt); euplecte de Jackson (fr); obispo de Jackson (es); leierschwanzwida (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Ploceidae

Range:
These birds are found in central and western Kenya and north-eastern Tanzania.

Size:
The females are 14 cm long but the males reach 30 cm due to the large tail they develop with their breeding plumage. Males are also 40% heavier than females.

Habitat:
The Jackson's widowbird is found high-altitude grasslands and arable land. They are present at altitudes of 1.500-3.000 m.

Diet:
They feed on grass seeds, particularly those of Themeda triandra and Panicum, as well as termite alates.

Breeding:
Jackson's widowbirds are polygynous and can breed all year round. The males perform a peculiar dance to attract females, matting with several females and having no further part in the breeding process. The nest is a domed ball of woven grass with a side entrance, lined with grass seed-heads, usually placed within 10 cm of the ground in a tuft of grass, with living grass bent down over it to form a bower. There the female lays 2-4 eggs which she incubates for 12-13 days. The chicks are fed by the female and fledge 17 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - NT (Near-Threatened)
This species has a relatively large breeding range and is described as locally common.
The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction and fragmentation, as a result of intensified agricultural development and livestock production. Fires, started by pastoralists to control ticks, are common in the dry season, and temporarily destroy most suitable habitat.

Sociable weaver

Philetairus socius

Photo by Marco Valentini (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
sociable weaver (en); tecelão-sociável (pt); républicain social (fr); tejedor republicano (es); siedelweber (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Ploceidae

Range:
This species is found in Namibia, south-western Botswana and northern South Africa.

Size:
These birds are 14 cm long and weigh 26-30 g.

Habitat:
The sociable weaver is found in dry grasslands, scrublands with scattered trees and open Acacia and Mopane  savannas. Also in desert areas providing there are human structures for nesting.

Diet:
They feed on the ground, usually in large flocks. Mainly they take seeds, but also grass leaves, fruits, flowers and insects such as termites, ants, caterpillars, small grasshoppers and beetles.

Breeding:
The sociable weaver is a colonial, cooperative breeder, living in colonies of up to 500 birds. The breeding season depends on rainfall patterns, but in some areas is usually in August-November. The whole colony nests in a massive communal nest made of dry grasses and thorny twins, placed in a vertical branch or in a human structure. The nest can be 7 m long, weigh over 1 ton and be over 100 years old and can be also used by other species such as pygmy falcons and other weavers. Each female lays 2-6 eggs, which are incubated by both sexes and sometimes helpers for 12-15 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and several helpers and fledge 21-24 days after hatching, but only become fully independent 4-7 weeks later.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as common to abundant. The population has increased substantially over the last century has it expanded into treeless areas where it uses artificial structures as nest sites.

Baya weaver

Ploceus philippinus

Photo by J.M. Garg (Wikipedia)

Common name:
Baya weaver (en); tecelão-de-Baya (pt); tisserin baya (fr); tejedor de Baya (es); Bayaweber (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Ploceidae

Range:
This species is found in southern Asia, from eastern Afghanistan and Pakistan, throughout India and Sri Lanka, and trough Nepal and Bangladesh into southern China, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and south to Malaysia and the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Java.

Size:
These birds are 15 cm long and weigh 25-30 g.

Habitat:
The Baya weaver is mostly found in agricultural areas, especially arable land and irrigated fields such as rice paddies. They are also found in dry grasslands, scrublands, pastures and magroves.

Diet:
They mainly feed on grass seeds, particularly Guinea grass Panicum maximum, but often also rice seeds and other agricultural grains, reason why they are often considered a pest. They also feed on insects, small frogs and molluscs.

Breeding:
Baya weavers breed during the monsoon. They form colonies in trees, with each male building elaborately woven nests made of grass leaves and palm fronds. They nests are placed hanging from tree branches, often over water. Both males and females are monogamous. The female lays 2-4 white eggs, which she incubates alone for 14-17 days. The chicks are mostly fed by the female, but the male may assist, fledging about 7 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status -LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and, although the global population size has not been quantified, the Baya weaver is described as locally common to common, although rare in Bhutan. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

White-headed buffalo-weaver

Dinemellia dinemelli

(Photo from Scientific Library)

Common name:
white-headed buffalo-weaver (en); tecelão-de-cabeça-branca (pt); alecto à tête blanche (fr); bufalero cabeciblanco (es); starweber (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Ploceidae

Range:
This species is found in East Africa, from South Sudan and Ethiopia, through Kenya and Somalia and down to central Tanzania.

Size:
These birds are 17-19 cm long and weigh 57-85 g.

Habitat:
The white-headed buffalo-weaver is mostly found in semi-arid habitats, namely dry scrublands and thorny savannas, but sometimes also in dry tropical forests and along rivers and creeks. They are typically found from sea level up to an altitude of 1.400 m.

Diet:
They forage on the ground or in thorny scrubs. They eat insects, mostly beetles and caterpillars, but also take various fruits and seeds.

Breeding:
The breeding season of the white-headed buffalo-weaver depends on rainfall and varies between different parts of their range. The nest is an oval structure made of dry grass stems and lined with softer materials such as grass, leaves and feathers. The outside is covered with thorny sticks and twigs, for protection against predators, and there is a short entrance tube that opens downwards. The nest is suspended from a branch in a tree, 2-4 m above the ground. The female lays 3-5 greyish to pale blue eggs with brown and olive markings, which she incubates alone for 11-14 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge about 3 weeks after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as common. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Black-winged bishop

Euplectes hordeaceus

Photo by Martin Goodey (Flickr)

Common name:
black-winged bishop (en); bispo-de-coroa-vermelha (pt); euplecte monseigneur (fr); obispo de corona roja (es); flammenweber (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Ploceidae


Range:
This African species is found from southern Mauritania and Senegal to Ethiopia, and south to Angola, Zambia, northern Zimbabwe and Mozambique.


Size:
These birds are 12-15 cm long and weigh 18-20 g.


Habitat:
Black-winged bishops are found in tall grasslands, moist scrublands and woodlands, especially near water. They are also found in cultivated land, especially rice paddies.


Diet:
They mainly eat grass seeds, namely Panicum maximum, Hyparrhenia, Pennisetum and Rottboellia, but also cultivated crops such as rice and green maize. They may also occasionally hawk insects from a low perch.
Breeding:
These birds breed in January-April. They are polygynous, with each male mating with several females. The male builds several nests, oval-shaped structures made of woven grass with a large side-top entrance concealed by a hood of grass inflorescences. The nests are typically placed between grass stems or in coarse vegetation, usually over dry ground. Each female lays 2-4 bluish-green eggs, which she incubates alone for 12-13 days. The chicks are fed by the female and fledge 11-13 days after hatching.


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
The black-winged bishop has a very large breeding range and is described as common to uncommon. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats, and may be benefiting from the expansion of rice cultivation in many parts of its range.

Red-billed quelea

Quelea quelea

(Photo from Purple "O" Purple)

Common name:
red-billed quelea (en); quelea-de-bico-vermelho (pt); travailleur à bec rouge (fr); quelea común (es); blutschnabelweber (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Ploceidae


Range:
This species is found across much of sub-Saharan Africa, only being absent from the lowland forests of West Africa, and the most arid areas of southern Namibia, south-western Botswana and the southern half of South Africa.


Size:
The red-billed quelea is 11-13 cm long and has a wingspan of 14 cm. They weigh 15-20 g.


Habitat:
These birds are mostly found in pastures and arable land, but also in dry grasslands, dry savannas and dry scrublands like thornveld. 


Diet:
They mostly eat seeds, including wild grasses, but also several cereal crops like maize, sorghum, manna, millet, oats, buckwheat, rice and wheat, making this species a serious crop pest. They also eat some arthropods, including beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers, crickets, bugs, ants, termites, dragonflies and spiders.


Breeding:
Red-billed queleas are monogamous and highly colonial, forming large colonies that can span for several kilometres. They breed in November-April and the male builds the nest, a small oval grass ball with a side-top entrance covered by a small hood. The nests are typically attached to thorny trees. The female lays 1-5 light-blue eggs, which she mostly incubates alone for 10-12 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 10-14 days after hatching, but only become fully independent 2 weeks later.


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least concern)
This species has an extremely large breeding range and is possible the most abundant wild bird on the planet with an estimated global population of over 1.500 million individuals. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Red-billed buffalo-weaver

Bubalornis niger

Photo by Ian White (Flickr)

Common name:

red-billed buffalo-weaver (en); tecelão-de-bico-vermelho (pt); alecto à bec rouge (fr); bufalero piquirrojo (es); büffelweber (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Passeriformes

Family Ploceidae

Range:

This African species occurs in two separate areas in sub-Saharan Africa. One population extends from Somalia and Ethiopia through to Tanzania and the other from southern D.R. Congo, Angola and Zambia to Namibia, Botswana, southern Mozambique and northern South Africa.

Size:

These birds are 24 cm long and weigh 65-80 g.

Habitat:

Red-billed buffalo-weavers are found in dry savannas and sparse woodlands of Acacia and Adansonia, preferring areas disturbed by humans and livestock.

Diet:

They forage on the ground, taking various arthropods including Orthoptera, larval Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera, Aranea and Scorpiones, but also various seeds and fruits.

Breeding:

These birds breed in colonies and the males may be polygamous, each controlling 1-8 nest chambers and up to about 3 females. They breed in September-June and the nest is a huge, bulky mass of interconnected thorny twigs, divided into separate complexes with multiple egg chambers, each with a nest built by a female, consisting of a ball of grass, leaves and roots. Each female lays 2-4 eggs, which she incubates alone for about 14 days. The chicks are mostly fed by the female alone and fledge 20-23 days after hatching.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least concern)

The red-billed buffalo-weaver has a very large breeding range and, although the global population size has not been quantified, the species is described as common. The population is suspected to be stable and in fact it has benefited from the destruction, disturbance and settlement by humans in savannas.

Red bishop

Euplectes orix

Photo by Louis Arrivet (Oiseaux)

Common name:

red bishop (en); bispo-de-testa-preta (pt); euplecte ignicolore (fr); obispo rojo (es); oryxweber (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Passeriformes

Family Ploceidae

Range:

This African species occurs from Tanzania through Zambia and Angola and into southern Africa.

Size:

The red bishop is 11-13 cm long and weighs 17-30 g.

Habitat:

It generally prefers open grassland, marshes and cultivated areas, often near perennial water bodies and it prefers to breed in reedbeds. These birds are present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.700 m.

Diet:

They mostly eat grass seeds, namely cereal crops like maize and wheat. They also eat flowers and invertebrates, including beetles, caterpillars, dragonflies, kelp flies, spiders ans sand-hoppers.

Breeding:

Red bishops are polygynous, highly territorial colonial nesters, with each successful male mate with 3-8 females in a breeding season. They can breed almost year-round, but with a peak in November-February. The male builds about 3-13 nests per breeding season, tightly weaving thin strips of reeds and grass to form an oval-shaped structure with a side entrance covered by a hood. It is typically attached to reeds, sedges or bulrushes, or occasionally in crops such as maize. There the female lays 3 pale blue-green or turquoise eggs, which she incubates alone for 12-13 days. The chicks are fed by the female only and fledge 11-15 days after hatching.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

This species has a very large breeding range and, although the global population size is yet to be quantified, the species is described as common to abundant. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

White-browed sparrow-weaver

Plocepasser mahali

(Photo from Blog Voyage Nature et Ornitho)

Common name:

white-browed sparrow-weaver (en); tecelão-pardal (pt); mahali à sourcils blancs (fr); gorrión tejedor de ceja blanca (es); mahaliweber (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Passeriformes

Family Ploceidae

Range:

This species mainly occurs in two separate areas of sub-Saharan Africa. One extending from Ethiopia through Somalia and Kenya to Tanzania, and a larger population from Zambia to Tanzania south to Mozambique and the southern and eastern provinces of South Africa.

Size:

These birds are 16-18 cm long and weigh 40-55 g.

Habitat:

White-browed sparrow-warblers are mostly found in semi-arid Acacia and Mopane (Colosphermum mopane) savanna woodland, especially along the border between degraded and undisturbed habitat. They often nest along thornveld and scrubby, dry riverbanks.

Diet:

They mainly eat insects, seeds, fruit and fleshy leaves, doing most of their foraging in flocks of 4-10 birds, plucking food items from the ground. They are known to take Coleoptera, ants, termites, Hemiptera, Orthoptera, as well as the seeds of Stipagrostis, Uruchloa, wheat and maize.

Breeding:

The white-browed sparrow-warbler breeds throughout the year, but mainly in the warmer months. They nest in small colonies, with 10-12 pairs building their nest in the same tree. The conspicuous nest is an untidy oval of coarse, dry grass stems, looking like a loose bunch of straw. There the female lays 1-3 white or pale pink speckled eggs which the female incubates alone for 14 days. The chicks are mostly fed by the female and fledge 21-23 days after hatching.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

This species has a very large breeding range and, although the global population size has not been quantified, the species is described as common to abundant. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Forest fody

Foudia omissa

Common name:

forest fody (en); tecelão-florestal (pt); foudi de forêt (fr); fodi forestal (es); rothschildweber (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Passeriformes

Family Ploceidae

Range:

This species is endemic to Madagascar, being found in the eastern half of the country, from Tsaratanana south to Tolagnaro.

Size:

The forest fody is 14 cm long and weighs 15-25 g.

Habitat:

This species is mostly found in intact evergreen rain forest, and occasionally in adjacent secondary growth, from sea level up to an altitude of 2.000 m.

Diet:

The forest fody is omnivorous, taking seeds, nectar and insects. They are known to eat Sloanea seeds and nectar from the flowers of Strongylodon, Bakerella and Symphonia.

Breeding:

They breed in November-April, with both male and female building the nest on tall grasses, bushes, in trees or on the midribs of palm leaves. The female lays 1-5 eggs, which she incubates alone for 13-17 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 13-15 days after hatching.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least concern)

This species has a relatively large breeding range and, although the global population size is yet to be quantified, the species is described as fairly common. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction and hybridisation with Foudia madagascariensis.

Village weaver

Ploceus cucullatus

Common name:

village weaver (en); tecelão-malhado (pt); tisserin gendarme (fr); tejedor de la villa (es); dorfweber (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Passeriformes

Family Ploceidae

Range:

The village weaver is an African species found south of the Sahara. They are found throughout the Sahel and towards the south down to Angola in the west and down to Mozambique and north-eastern South Africa in the east. The species has been introduced to Mauritius, Réunion and to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola.

Size:

This stocky weaver is 15-17 cm long with males being slightly larger than females. They have a wingspan of 24-25 cm and weigh 32-45 g.

Habitat:

They are found in a wide range of open and semi-open habitats, including sparse woodlands, forest edges, savannas, along rivers and streams, in agricultural areas and in gardens and parks within human settlements.

Diet:

Village weavers mostly eat seeds and grains, often becoming a crop pest. They also eat green vegetation and fruits and may also take insects, especially when feeding the young, which partially compensate the damage to agriculture.

Breeding:

The village weaver usually nests during the rainy season. These colonial breeders weave a nest suspended on the branch of a tree or in reeds. Each tree has a large number of nests. The male builds the nest, a coarsely woven globular structure, built with grasses and leaf strips, with a short entrance tube pointing downwards. The female lays 2-3 eggs and incubates the eggs alone for about 13 days. The chicks are fed by the female alone and fledge after 18 days.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least concern)

The village weaver has an extremely wide breeding range and is described as abundant throughout this range. The population is believed to be stable and there is no evidence for any substantial threats.