Black-headed Weaver

Ploceus melanocephalus

The Black-headed Weaver is a colorful bird with a shiny black head and bright yellow body. They are known for weaving intricate nests that hang from trees, making them look like little works of art!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Black-headed Weaver has a striking black head and throat in males, contrasting sharply with a chestnut nape and bright yellow underparts. Its back is olive-yellow, and it possesses a robust, conical bill. Females are duller, primarily streaked olive-brown with yellow hints.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyPloceidaeGenusPloceus

Black-headed Weaver

Interesting facts

A single colony of these birds can have hundreds of cleverly woven nests!

Their nests are so strong, they can survive big storms and heavy winds!

They often build their nests hanging over water to keep hungry predators away.

Wow! The male weaver builds several nests, and the female chooses the best one!

Special abilities

Black-headed Weaver can construct complex, enclosed nests because of their specialized bill and strong feet that help them weave grass.

Black-headed Weavers have a knack for colonial nesting that helps them raise young and protect against predators in groups.

Black-headed Weaver can spot and catch small insects because of their keen eyesight and agile movements, which helps them find food.

Measurements & details

Length: 14-16 cm
Wingspan: 22-26 cm
Weight: 0.014-0.025 kg
Lifespan: 3-7 years
Top Speed: 60 km/h
Clutch Size: 2-4
Incubation: 12-14 days

Diet & Feeding

These birds enjoy a mix of insects and seeds, often foraging in groups.

Primary Foods

caterpillars
grasshoppers
termites
rice seeds
sorghum seeds
nectar

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

African Goshawk

Accipiter tachiro

Hunts adult weavers for food.

eaten by

Boomslang

Dispholidus typus

Preys on eggs and nestlings in their nests.

eats

Migratory Locust

Locusta migratoria

Consumes these insects as a protein source.

eats

Rice Plant

Oryza sativa

Feeds on the seeds from these plants.

eats

Sorghum Plant

Sorghum bicolor

Eats seeds, especially during the dry season.

Traits

Feathered

Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.

Social

Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.

Singing

Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species.

Arboreal

Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Insectivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.