African Golden Weaver (Ploceus subaureus)

The African Golden Weaver (Ploceus subaureus) is also known as the African Yellow Weaver, Eastern Golden Weaver, or Olive-headed Golden Weaver

They occur naturally in eastern and south-eastern Africa.  Specifically, the range of these weavers extends from Kenya south through Tanzania, Malawi,  Mozambique, and Swaziland to KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape in South Africa. 

They favor coastal plains, estuaries, and low-lying river valleys and river flood plains, usually remaining within 50 km (~31 miles)  of the coast; but may move up to 100 km (~62 miles) inland along river valleys.

Sub-species Ranges

  • Ploceus subaureus subaureus – Nominate Race: Found in southern Mozambique to Natal, Zululand, and eastern Cape Province in eastern South Africa
  • Ploceus subaureus aureoflavus: Found in Somalia to eastern Kenya, eastern Tanzania, Malawi, and northern Mozambique

Description:

Reddish eyes and flesh-colored feet.  Dark bill

Male:  His breeding plumage is bright yellow, with a duller non-breeding plumage.

Female:  Dull yellow plumage.

Similar Species:  Other golden weavers have similar plumage details, but don’t have reddish eyes.

Songs / Vocalizations:

Emit  “chet” notes.  The song is described as sizzling, “radio static”.

Diet / Feeding:

The primary diet consists of seeds, as well as insects and nectar.   

African Golden Weaver

Breeding / Nesting:

The breeding season extends from September to February; the peak season ranges from September through December.   

Nesting occurs in and around reedbeds but may range into surrounding savanna and woodland areas.

These colonial nesters build 10-20 (but up to 50) nests per colony.   The circular nests are built by the males and lined by the females with softer grasses. 

The average clutch consists of 2 to 4 eggs, which are incubated by the female.

The chicks fledge when they are about 19 to 22  days old.

Global Names:

  • Catalan:  teixidor daurat africà
  • Chinese:  东非织巢鸟 / 非洲金織雀
  • Croatian:  žuta pletilja
  • Czech:  snovač zlatý
  • Danish:  Gylden Væver
  • Dutch:  Goudwever
  • Finnish:  kultakutoja
  • French:  Tisserin jaune
  • German:  Goldweber
  • Italian:   Tessitore dorato africano
  • Japanese:  koganehataori / コガネハタオリ
  • Lithuanian:  Žaliagalvis audėjas
  • Norwegian:  Gullvevar / Gullvever
  • Polish:  wikłacz żółty
  • Portuguese:  Tecelão-amarelo
  • Russian:  Золотистый ткач
  • Slovak:  pletiarka zlatožltá
  • Serbian:  Zlatna tekstor tkalja
  • Spanish:  Tejedor Dorado Africano 
  • Swedish:  guldvävare
  • Ukrainian:  Ткачик золотий
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Gordon Ramel

Gordon is an ecologist with two degrees from Exeter University. He's also a teacher, a poet and the owner of 1,152 books. Oh - and he wrote this website.

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