The compact weaver is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae. It is found in the African countries of Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia.
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
Typical Environment
This species ranges widely from West Africa through Central Africa to parts of East Africa, occurring in countries such as Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, DRC, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. It favors moist savanna, grassy clearings, marsh edges, riverine thickets, and cultivated fields. It often stays near tall grasses, papyrus, and reeds where it nests and forages. In the non-breeding season it may wander locally, joining mixed flocks of other weavers.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The compact weaver is a small, short-tailed weaver that forms loose colonies and weaves neat, suspended nests from strips of grass. It frequents rank grass, wetlands, and farm edges where it feeds on seeds and small insects. During the breeding season males display actively around nest sites, while outside breeding they can be inconspicuous in mixed weaver flocks.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically breeds in small colonies or loose groups, often over water or in dense rank grass. Males weave oval nests with side entrances and may build several structures to attract females. Nests are placed low to medium height in reeds, papyrus, or shrubs near wetlands. Outside the breeding season it often forages in small flocks and may join mixed-species weaver aggregations.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
The vocalizations are a series of thin chips, twitters, and buzzy chatters given from exposed perches near nesting sites. Males add rapid rattles and sputtering trills during displays, creating a continuous background of chatter in colonies.
Plumage
A compact, short-tailed weaver with a stout conical bill; plumage is largely yellow to olive-yellow with duller brownish-olive upperparts and paler underparts, females and non-breeding birds showing fine streaking. A pale, well-marked supercilium contrasts with a duskier face, giving an 'eyebrowed' look. Breeding males appear brighter and cleaner yellow with stronger facial contrast; non-breeding birds are duller and more streaked.
Diet
Feeds on grass seeds, grains, and small invertebrates such as beetles, caterpillars, and termites. Insects are especially important during the breeding season to feed nestlings. It also takes flower buds and the soft parts of grasses, gleaned methodically from stems and seed heads. Foraging is mostly on or near the ground and within tall grass or reedbeds.
Preferred Environment
Commonly forages along marsh margins, fallow fields, and grassy savanna edges. It uses rank grass and reedbeds both for shelter and feeding, often moving through dense cover and occasionally visiting farm plots.
