Yellow Weaver
Afrikaans name: Geelwewer - Ploceus subaureus

Photo © Steven Herbert
The male Yellow Weaver, in the breeding season, is an attractive bird with a black bill, red eye and yellow body. Outside of the breeding season both sexes are duller and the bill is more grey than black.
These weavers reach a length of 16 cm and may be found breeding in reedbeds and trees near water. They may move a bit away from water, into the surrounding bush, when not breeding.
In South Africa it is found along the eastern regions from around Port Elizabeth through to northern KwaZulu-Natal.
The Yellow Weaver mainly eats seeds and termite alates when available.
The pair make their nest near water in small colonies that may include nests of other weavers such as the Thick-billed Weaver. 2 to 4 eggs are laid.
References and further reading
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 340Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 110
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 418
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 386
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 725
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 727
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 556
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 568
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 410
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 410
LBJs - Author: Newman, Johnson, Solomon, Masterson - Published: 1998 - Page: 120
Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 304
Common Birds of the North Coast - Author: Bing Comrie - Published: 2005 - Page: 71
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 206
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 257
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 79
Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 116
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 210
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 272