Speke's Weaver

Overview

Speke's Weaver (Ploceus spekei) is a familiar East African songbird that maintains the same plumage throughout the year. It is a common resident of northern and eastern Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, and north-eastern Tanzania.

Identification

• Adult males are yellow with a black throat edged in rusty colour, along with a black face and bill, often showing variable black mottling on the back.
• Adult females have dull olive-gray upperparts with dusky brown streaks, while underparts are pale yellow, whiter on the belly and grayer on the flanks.
• The bill is on the large side for a weaver, and the eyes are pale.
• Song is variable, described as "pew…pew…tew, chinkichi-chewchew-skerinkitsitew", accompanied by harsh chatter at the nest and a sharp "tseep!" call.

Habitat

This species inhabits savanna, bush, agricultural land, and towns across its range in northern and eastern Somalia, Ethiopia, central Kenya highlands, and north-eastern Tanzania. It is notably common in densely populated areas such as Nairobi and its surroundings.

Did you know?

In parts of its range, particularly around Nairobi, this bird visits bird feeders, indicating its adaptability to human environments.