Asian golden weaver

The Asian golden weaver is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae. It is found in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, swamps, and arable land. It is threatened by habitat loss and capture, notably for the merit release trade.

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Distribution

Region

Southeast Asia

Typical Environment

Occurs patchily in lowland Cambodia, Indonesia (notably Sumatra and Java), Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. It favors seasonally flooded grasslands, reedbeds, marsh edges, and rice paddies. Nests are typically placed over standing water in reeds, bulrushes, or shrubs to deter predators. It adapts to agricultural landscapes but declines where wetlands are drained or reedbeds are cut. Local movements follow water levels and harvesting cycles.

Altitude Range

0–800 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size15–17 cm

Wing Span20–25 cm

Male Weight0.025 kg

Female Weight0.022 kg

Life Expectancy6 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 2/5

Useful to know

Breeding males weave intricate, purse-shaped nests suspended over water using fresh grass strips and display at the nest to attract females. Often confused with the Baya Weaver, the Asian golden weaver male is more uniformly golden and lacks a bold black mask. It is impacted by drainage of wetlands, intensive agriculture, and trapping for merit-release. Protecting reedbeds and seasonally flooded grasslands is key to its conservation.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

social and active

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats

Social Behavior

Forms noisy colonies in breeding season, with males polygynous and constructing several nests as part of courtship. Nests are suspended over water, often in clusters, and are lined softly after acceptance by a female. Outside breeding, small flocks forage in rice fields and marsh edges and may join mixed-species groups.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Males give lively, buzzy chitters and sizzling trills from nest sites, interspersed with sharp chips. The chorus of a colony is continuous during peak display and can carry across wetlands.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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