Alternative name: Forest Weaver
- Ploceus bicolor
Identification
Length 13-16 cm, mass 28-57 g.
Adult: Dark brown upper parts and golden-yellow under parts. The back is grey in some races. The eyes are dark brown and the legs brown.
Immature: Similar to the adult, but duller, with a grey chin and throat.
Similar species
The Strange Weaver has a chestnut breast and an olive back that contrasts with the dark head. The Usambara Weaver is paler, with a chestnut breast and olive-brown head.
Distribution
Sub-Saharan Africa: Cameroon to Angola in the west; DRC and Zambia in central Africa, and Uganda, Kenya and Somalia to eastern South Africa in the east.
Taxonomy
Ploceus bicolor has eight subspecies:1
- P. b. tephronotus
- P. b. amaurocephalus
- P. b. mentalis
- P. b. kigomaensis
- P. b. kersteni
- P. b. stictifrons
- P. b. sylvanus
- P. b. bicolor
Habitat
Forest and closed woodland.
Behaviour
Seen in pairs or family groups. Does not flock with other weavers, but does join multi-species flocks foraging for insects. Probes leaves and bark for arthropods; also eats fruit, nectar and flowers.
Breeding
Monogamous and territorial. The nest is woven using vines and creepers, and has a long entrance tube; probably built mainly by the male. Two to four eggs are laid, and incubated for about 16 days. The young are fed by both parents, and remain in the nest for about 22 days. Snakes are known to raid nests.
References
- Clements JF. 2007. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2008. Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019
