Village Weaver

Afrikaans name: Bontrugwewer - Ploceus cucullatus

Photo © Steven Herbert

This commonly encountered weaver is often referred to as Spotted-backed Weaver. The Village Weaver is a very common species over the eastern regions of South Africa.

In summer the males are very handsome with their yellow plumage and their black masks. Females are more of a brownish-yellow and lack the black mask.

In South Africa there are two other species of weaver where the males may be confused with the Village Weaver. They are the Southern Masked Weaver and Lesser Masked Weaver.

Weavers are well known for the nests that they weave. Village Weavers nest in colonies in trees or in reeds. Female Village Weavers lay 2 to 3 eggs.

They feed on seeds and grain. They are common visitors to bird feeders along the eastern coast of South Africa.

Photo © Steven Herbert

Above - A male Village Weaver in breeding plumage

Below - A female Village Weaver

Photo © Steven Herbert

Photo © Steven Herbert

Above - A female Village Weaver takes a vigorous bath in my bird bath. Village Weavers are common in gardens in many areas and will always be visitors to feeders.

References and further reading

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 199

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 339

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 180

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 420

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 110

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 384

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 719

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 566

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 721

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 412

Newmans Garden Birds - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1991 - Page: 112

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 554

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 412

LBJs - Author: Newman, Johnson, Solomon, Masterson - Published: 1998 - Page: 111

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 304

Know your Garden Birds - Author: - Published: 0 - Page: 14

Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 138

Geoff Lockwoods Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Published: 0 - Page: 107

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 208

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 79

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 255

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 115

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 212

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 271

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 25

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 110

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 25

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 299

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