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: 340

Southern 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

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