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Cape Weaver | Ploceus capensis
The Cape Weaver is a Southern African bird that belongs to the Ploceidae bird family group which includes birds such as Weavers, Queleas, Windowbirds. The description for the Cape Weaver (Latin name Ploceus capensis) can be found in the 7th Edition of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. The Ploceus capensis can be quickly identified by its unique Roberts identification number of 813 and the detailed description of this bird is on page 1012. You will find a picture of the Cape Weaver on page 1024. NOTE: The reference for the information following is "Roberts Birds of Southern Africa", 7th Edition*. This edition contained a number of taxonomic changes as well as changes to English names used traditionally and in earlier editions of most bird books in South Africa. The following paragraph notes such changes if any. Neither the Latin nor the Engish name for this bird has been affected by recent nomenclature modifications ? these changes have been incorporated into Robert's 7th Edition where appropriate. The Cape Weaver is known in Afrikaans as Kaapse Wewer. The Cape Weaver is Endemic to the Southern African Region which means that this bird is only found in this region and nowhere else in the world. The Cape Weaver has a height of 17 cms and weighs around 50 gms. The head is coloured yellow while the bill is coloured black. The Ploceus capensis has a yellow coloured throat, brown legs and a olive, brown coloured back. The eyes are white. The male Ploceus capensis has physical features that are slightly different from the female bird. Take note of the main distinguishing features such as colour, size and leg length relative to the body size. Colours of body parts can be helpful. Be aware what may appear brown to one person is described in Roberts using some other word ... for example brown, black. See colours used in Roberts. Head is yellow Eyes are white Bill is black Legs are brown Throat is yellow Back is olive, brown Feeding Habits ...This bird forages for food on the ground This bird eats insects such as butterflies, bees, wasps, locusts and ants. These invertebrates are usually hawked aerially, killed and then eaten . Breeding, Habitat and Nesting Habits ...The Cape Weaver is a monogamous bird which means that the bird finds and breeds with one partner for the rest of its life. The bird lays between 2 to 5 eggs and they are coloured blue. The nest is built high up in the tree canopy and is protected from predators by branches and the dense green foligae. The Cape Weaver is mainly found in light and densely wooded forests, where there are Mopane trees. The bird is found in the African bushveld The bird is at home in riverine forests and close to water bodies such as lakes, dams and streams Seen in Flocks, Singles or Pairs Normally ...It is also seen in flocks |
