BlueGnu - Explore South Africa's many tourist attractions
Spectacled Weaver
Afrikaans name: Brilwewer
Photo © Steven Herbert
Ploceus ocularis
The Spectacled Weaver is an attractive weaver that is normally seen in pairs. It has a melodic whistle for its call.
Both sexes have the black line through the eye which account for its common name but only the male has the black bib on the throat.
The Spectacled Weaver is widely distributed in Africa south of Ethiopia. In South Africa it is found in the eastern regions of the country.
This weaver eats a wide variety of foods including insects, spiders, fruit, nectar and seed.
The nest of the Spectacled Weaver is interesting. It is a typical weaver-like enclosed structure but it has a long entrance tunnel hanging down. Up to 4 eggs are laid.
Read more about Weavers
References and further reading
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 25Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 111
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 79
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 206
Geoff Lockwood's Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Year Published: - Page: 105
Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 720
Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 718
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 420