Black-necked Weaver

Overview

The black-necked weaver is a resident breeding bird species found throughout much of central Africa, stretching from Cameroon to Kenya and southern Somalia. Classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, this stocky 16 cm bird exhibits distinct plumage differences between its northern and southern subspecies.

Identification

• Stocky bird measuring 16 cm with a strong conical bill.
• Northern race adult males feature olive upper-parts and wings, yellow underparts and head, a black eye-mask and bib, and a pale yellow iris.
• Southern race displays almost black upper-parts and tail.
• Calls consist of a wheezing dew-dew-twee.

Habitat

This weaver occupies forests, with a particular preference for wet habitats across its extensive range in central and eastern Africa. It is found in regions spanning from eastern Cameroon and Angola to southern Ethiopia, southern Somalia, central and eastern Kenya, and north-eastern Tanzania.

Diet

The black-necked weaver feeds on a diet of insects and vegetable matter.

Did you know?

The species builds a large coarsely woven nest of grass and creepers, featuring a 15 cm downward-facing entrance tunnel that hangs from a globular egg chamber suspended in a tree.