# Taveta Weaver (*Ploceus castaneiceps*) The Taveta Weaver is a colorful bird known for its beautiful yellow and black feathers. It loves to build intricate nests in tall grasses and trees, making them a fun sight to see in the wild. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Taveta Weaver](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Taveta_Golden-weaver_Ploceus_castaneiceps_National_Aviary_1000px.jpg&width=800) Photo: Photo by and (C)2007 Derek Ramsey ( Ram-Man ), CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Taveta_Golden-weaver_Ploceus_castaneiceps_National_Aviary_1000px.jpg) ## Appearance The Taveta Weaver has a strikingly bright golden-yellow head, chest, and back, which contrasts with its olive-green wings and tail. Its vibrant red eye is distinctive. Males are much brighter than females, which are duller olive. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Ploceidae - **Genus:** Ploceus ## Interesting facts - A male weaver can build several nests to show off for a mate! - Their round nests have a tiny side entrance, like a secret door! - These tiny birds help spread plant seeds by eating them and flying around. - They often build nests above water, making it harder for predators. ## Special abilities - **Master Weaver:** The Taveta Weaver can expertly weave strong, intricate nests from grass and reeds to keep its eggs and chicks safe. - **Community Builder:** Taveta Weavers live in colonies, which helps them build many nests close together for protection and social living. - **Vocal Communicator:** This bird has a variety of chirps and calls that helps them communicate with each other in their bustling colonies. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 13-14 cm - **Wingspan:** 20-22 cm - **Weight:** 0.015-0.022 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-5 years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-4 - **Incubation:** 11-14 days ## Diet & Feeding These small birds enjoy munching on seeds and catching yummy insects! - **Primary Foods:** grass seeds, beetles, caterpillars, small fruits, nectar - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Boomslang (*Dispholidus typus*) — Snake that preys on weaver nests and adults. - **Eaten by:** African Goshawk (*Accipiter tachiro*) — A raptor that hunts small birds, including weavers. - **Depends on:** [Common Reed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-reed) (*Phragmites australis*) — Provides nesting material and shelter near water. - **Eats:** [Sorghum](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sorghum) (*Sorghum bicolor*) — Feeds on the seeds from this important cereal crop. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Web Builder](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/web-builder): This trait characterizes organisms that construct elaborate silken webs for catching prey, shelter, or reproduction. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always observe birds from a distance to avoid startling them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Taveta Weaver? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Taveta Weaver? 13-14 cm ### What is Taveta Weaver's wingspan? 20-22 cm ### How much does Taveta Weaver weigh? 0.015-0.022 kg ### How long does Taveta Weaver live? 3-5 years ### How fast can Taveta Weaver move? 40 km/h ### What does Taveta Weaver eat? These small birds enjoy munching on seeds and catching yummy insects! ### Where is Taveta Weaver usually found? Grasslands ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Taveta Weaver: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/taveta-weaver)