The northern masked weaver is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae. It is found in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Sudan. All recent sightings in East Africa have been on the shores of Lake Baringo, Kenya.
Region
Northeast Africa and the Nile Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs along rivers, lakes, and wetlands from Sudan and South Sudan through Ethiopia and into parts of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and northwestern Kenya (notably around Lake Baringo). It favors riparian thickets, papyrus and reedbeds, and acacia-dotted savannas near permanent water. Colonies are often established in shrubs or trees overhanging water. It also adapts to human-modified landscapes, including irrigated fields and village edges near wetlands.
Altitude Range
0–1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
A colonial nester, the northern masked weaver builds intricate, spherical grass nests often suspended over water to deter predators. Males display by fluttering and calling near freshly built nests to attract females, which inspect and accept or reject them. It can be confused with the lesser masked weaver, but typically shows a more extensive black mask and brighter yellow body in breeding males. Outside the breeding season, plumage becomes duller and the mask is reduced.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Highly colonial, often with dozens of nests clustered in a single tree or reedbed. Males are polygynous and weave multiple nests, courting females with displays and calls. Nests are suspended over water or open areas to reduce predation, and breeding is often synchronized with rains.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A lively series of chatters, buzzes, and nasal notes delivered from prominent perches near the colony. Males call persistently during nest-building, with rapid, metallic-sounding trills mixed with scratchy phrases.
Plumage
Breeding males are bright yellow with an extensive black mask and throat, olive-tinged upperparts, and clean yellow underparts; females and non-breeding birds are duller yellow-olive with streaked upperparts and lack the full mask.
Diet
Feeds on grass seeds, grains, and a variety of insects such as beetles, caterpillars, and termites. During the breeding season, it increases insect intake to provide protein for nestlings. It will also take nectar and small fruits opportunistically. Forages both on the ground and by gleaning from foliage and seed heads.
Preferred Environment
Most often forages along lake shores, river margins, reedbeds, and adjacent bushy savanna. It frequently visits cultivated fields and village edges, especially where water and seed resources are abundant.
