Thick-billed Weaver

Afrikaans name: Dikbekwewer - Amblyospiza albifrons

The Thick-billed Weaver is widely distributed across Africa.

They have a distinctively heavy bill which gives them their common name.

Males are a dark brown with a white forehead and a white patch on their wings. Females are more of a streaky brown and lack the white forehead and patches. The white patch on the forehead of the male is present only during the breeding season.

During the breeding season Thick-billed Weavers are found in reedbeds and riverside vegetation. During the non-breeding season they may be found in a variety of habitats.

They reach a length of 18 cm.

Photo © Steven Herbert

Above - Male Thick-billed Weaver

Below - Female Thick-billed Weaver

Photo © Steven Herbert

References and further reading

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

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 343

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 6

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 416

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 382

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 715

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 714

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 571

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 559

LBJs - Author: Newman, Johnson, Solomon, Masterson - Published: 1998 - Page: 120

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 410

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 410

Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 141

Geoff Lockwoods Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Published: 0 - Page: 97

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 210

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 302

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 254

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 77

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 116

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 301

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: 274

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