Village Weaver

The village weaver (Ploceus cucullatus) is a widespread species of weaver found across sub-Saharan Africa. They are notable for their gregarious nature and are often seen in flocks. It is easily recognized by its red eye, and bright yellow and black plumage, which is mostly seen in males. It measures about 15-17 cm (5.9-6.7 in) in length, with the males typically being slightly larger than the females. The breeding males of the more northern subspecies have an all black head with a chestnut nape. As we get further south in its range, the chestnut nape disappears and the amount of black on the head decreases. The southernmost subspecies only have a black face and throat. Outside of breeding season, the male loses its black head and face, which turns yellow to olive. The body becomes mostly grey, with wings remaining yellow and black. The female has a more yellow body plumage than the nonbreeding male (but not as bright yellow as that of a breeding male). Her back is also more streaked than that of the nonbreeding male.

The village weaver is very similar to other species, such as the lesser masked weaver (Ploceus intermedius) and the southern masked weaver (Ploceus velatus). The lesser masked weaver has more black on the front of its head (compared to the subspecies of village weaver it shares range with), and a white eye. The southern masked weaver can be more challenging to separate from the village weaver, as they both have red eyes, but the southern masked weaver has more of an olive-green back, and not a black and yellow back. 

Village weavers are predominantly found in woodland, savanna, coastal bush, farmland, and along river courses. These adaptable birds also thrive in urban areas. Their diet primarily consists of seeds and grains, but they also consume insects, which they forage for both in the foliage and on the ground. Their feeding habits are quite active and animated, often hanging upside down on grasses to extract seeds.

The breeding season of the village weaver is typically timed with the rainy season, which varies depending on the region. These birds are polygynous, with males mating with multiple females. Males are responsible for constructing the intricate and distinctive spherical nests, which are woven with grass and suspended from tree branches over water or open spaces to deter predators. Females select mates based on the quality of the nests. Once a female chooses a mate and a nest, she will line it with soft materials. The incubation period for eggs is about 14 days, with the fledging period lasting around 17 days.

The village weaver benefits from its adaptability to various habitats, including those altered by humans. It has also been introduced to countries such as Portugal and Venezuela, as well as to the islands of Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Martinique, Mauritius, and Réunion. There are no significant threats currently identified for this species and it is listed as least concern on the IUCN Red List.