White-billed Buffalo Weaver

Overview

The white-billed buffalo weaver (Bubalornis albirostris) is a large, common weaver species that breeds resident in most of Africa south of the Sahara Desert. It is a gregarious bird that builds massive communal stick nests in tree colonies.

Identification

• Large and stocky body, commonly measuring 23 to 24 centimeters.
• Adult plumage is mainly black with white flecking on the back and wings; young birds are dark brown.
• Very thick, conical bill that appears larger due to a white frontal shield; the bill is white in breeding males but black in females and non-breeding males.

Habitat

Found in open country, especially in cultivation and scrub, across most of Africa south of the Sahara Desert.

Diet

Feeds on grain and insects.

Did you know?

This species is a communal breeder that constructs massive, untidy stick nests in tree colonies, each containing several spherical woven nests.