Cape Weaver

About

The Cape Weaver is a common and distinctive passerine bird endemic to southern Africa. Males are notably vibrant, featuring bright yellow plumage and chestnut coloration, especially during the breeding season. Females are duller. They are well-known for their elaborate woven nests, a characteristic trait of the weaver family.

Size & lifespan

Length

17-18 cm (6.7-7.1 inches)

Wingspan

25-28 cm (9.8-11 inches)

Weight

36-50 g (1.3-1.8 oz)

Lifespan

Approximately 5-8 years in the wild

Diet

Primarily granivorous, feeding on seeds of grasses and cultivated crops, supplemented with insects (e.g., caterpillars, beetles, termites) during breeding season to feed young. They also consume nectar from flowers.

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Adult breeding males are brilliant golden-yellow with a chestnut wash on the face, throat, and breast, and a strong chestnut tinge on the nape and hindneck. The upperparts are olive-yellow, streaked finely with dusky lines. Non-breeding males are duller, resembling females but retaining some yellow. Females and non-breeding males are olive-brown above, with diffuse darker streaking, and pale yellowish-white underparts, often with a faint yellow wash on the flanks and undertail coverts. They show a yellow wash over the supercilium.

Beak shape

Conical, stout, and strong, adapted for cracking seeds, and pointed for weaving.

Eye color

Reddish-brown.

Leg color

Pale brownish-pink to flesh-colored.

Distinguishing features

Breeding male's strong golden-yellow plumage with chestnut face mask. Both sexes have a heavy, conical bill. Unique woven nests are a strong identification feature when nesting.

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles resemble females but are duller, often with more streaking on the breast and fainter yellow tones.

Seasonal changes

Males undergo a distinct molt into their bright breeding plumage from late winter to early spring, losing their chestnut and vibrant yellow tones in the non-breeding season to resemble females. Females show less significant seasonal plumage variation.

Sexual dimorphism

Pronounced sexual dimorphism. Breeding males are strikingly yellow with a chestnut face and throat; females are olive-brown and duller yellow on the underparts. Non-breeding males are intermediate.

How to identify

1. 1

   Plumage (Breeding Male)

   Look for the intense golden-yellow body plumage combined with a characteristic chestnut wash on the face, throat, and breast, and a relatively duller olive-yellow back.

2. 2

   Nesting Behavior

   Observe for their colonial nesting in reeds or trees near water, and the male's vigorous nest-building and display. The distinct woven, spherical nests with a side entrance are unmistakable.

3. 3

   Size and Shape

   Note their medium-large size for a weaver (17-18 cm) and robust, conical bill, which is thicker than many other weaver species.

4. 4

   Calls and Song

   Listen for the male's energetic, chattering, and sibilant song during the breeding season. Alarm calls are typically harsh 'chuck' notes.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Grasslands, fynbos, shrublands, cultivated lands, urban and suburban gardens, parks, and riparian zones.

Geographic range

Endemic to southern Africa, primarily found in South Africa, extending west into Namibia and east into parts of Lesotho and Eswatini. Its distribution closely follows the Cape Floristic Region and adjoining areas.

Elevation range

Sea level up to approximately 2000 meters (6500 feet).

Preferred environments

Prefers areas with scattered trees or reeds near water, as well as human-modified landscapes with suitable nesting sites and foraging opportunities.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal, active from dawn to dusk.

Feeding habits

Forages mainly on the ground in open areas, often in flocks. They glean seeds from grasses and agricultural fields, and also hawk flying insects or gather them from foliage. Also known to feed on nectar by probing flowers.

Social behavior

Highly gregarious, especially outside the breeding season, forming large flocks that can number in the hundreds or thousands, often associating with other granivorous birds. Breeds in colonies.

Flight pattern

Strong, direct, and slightly undulating flight. Often flies in loose flocks to and from feeding or roosting sites.

Migration pattern

Generally sedentary, with local movements driven by food availability. No large-scale migration.

Territoriality

Breeding males are territorial around their chosen nest sites within a colony, aggressively defending them from rivals. Colonial nesting means individual territories are small and focused on the immediate nest vicinity.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

August to February, peaking from September to January, correlating with the rainy season and increased food availability.

Nesting habits

Colonial nesters. Males construct elaborate, roughly spherical, woven nests from strips of grass, reeds, and palm fronds. The nest has a side entrance, often with a short tunnel or porch. Nests are typically suspended from branches over water or amid reeds, or in gardens.

Clutch size

2-5 eggs, most commonly 3-4.

Egg description

Eggs are typically pale blue or greenish-blue, often speckled or blotched with brown, grey, or reddish markings, sometimes forming a ring at the broader end.

Incubation period

Approximately 12-14 days, primarily by the female.

Fledging period

Chicks fledge around 16-18 days after hatching.

Parental care

Both parents feed the nestlings, though the female does most of the incubation. Males may build multiple nests to attract different females within a colony (polygynous tendency).

Where to find

Field tips

1. Visit during breeding season. The best time to observe males in their vibrant breeding plumage and witness their remarkable nest-building activities is from August to February.
2. Look near water bodies. Cape Weavers often choose nesting sites over water or very close to it, so focus your search around dams, rivers, and wet areas.
3. Listen for their song. The male's characteristic chattering song is a strong indicator of their presence, especially during breeding displays.
4. Observe flocks. Outside the breeding season, look for large, noisy flocks foraging in grasslands or agricultural areas.

Similar species

Quick facts

Status:

Endemic to Southern Africa

Nesting Style:

Colonial, elaborate woven nests

Diet:

Omnivorous (seeds, insects, nectar)

Sociality:

Highly gregarious

Key Identification Mark (male):

Golden-yellow with chestnut face mask

Fun facts

• The male Cape Weaver is a prolific nest builder, often constructing multiple nests in a single breeding season to attract females. Females inspect nests before selecting a mate.
• Their strong, conical bill is perfectly adapted not only for cracking seeds but also for meticulously weaving strips of vegetation into their intricate nests.
• Cape Weavers can often be seen 'robbing' nectar from flowers by piercing the base of the corolla, rather than entering through the normal opening, a behavior known as 'nectar robbing'.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Ploceidae

Genus

Ploceus

Species

Ploceus capensis

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