FeatherScan logo
FeatherScan
Overview
Red weaver

Red weaver

Wikipedia

The red weaver is a species of bird in the weaver family Ploceidae. It is found in southern Somalia and northeastern Kenya.

Loading map...

Distribution

Region

Horn of Africa

Typical Environment

Occurs in arid and semi-arid lowlands of southern Somalia and northeastern Kenya. Typical habitats include Acacia-Commiphora bushland, open savanna, and riverine woodland along systems such as the Jubba and Tana rivers. It frequents edges of cultivation and seasonal floodplains where grass seeds are abundant. Colonies often situate nests in thorny trees or palms near water to deter predators.

Altitude Range

0–1500 m

Climate Zone

Arid

Characteristics

Size12–15 cm
Wing Span18–24 cm
Male Weight0.028 kg
Female Weight0.024 kg
Life Expectancy6 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

Red weavers are members of the Ploceidae, famous for their intricate, woven nests suspended from branches, often over water for protection. Males typically construct several nests during the breeding season to attract females, performing display flights and calls. They often breed in loose colonies, which helps reduce predation risk. Outside breeding, they may join mixed flocks to forage.

Behaviour

Temperament

social and active

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats

Social Behavior

Often forms loose colonies during breeding, with several nests clustered in the same tree. Males weave and display at partially built nests to entice females. Nesting is typically timed with seasonal rains when food is plentiful.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

A busy series of chatters, buzzes, and chirps delivered from exposed perches near the nest. Males intensify calling during courtship, interspersing song with wing-flicks and short display flights.

Similar Bird Species

Red-and-black grosbeak
Resident

Red-and-black grosbeak

The red-and-black grosbeak is a species of bird in the family Cardinalidae, the cardinals or cardinal grosbeaks. It is found in Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela.

Red-and-blue lory
Endemic

Red-and-blue lory

The red-and-blue lory is a small, strikingly-colored parrot endemic to Indonesia. The species inhabits a single island, Karakelong, in the Indonesian archipelago, although it was formerly found on the Sangihe Islands and other parts of the Talaud Islands.

Red-and-green macaw
Resident

Red-and-green macaw

The red-and-green macaw, also known as the green-winged macaw, is a large, mostly-red macaw of the genus Ara. It is popular in aviculture, and is the second most commonly kept macaw species after the Blue and Yellow. However, they are not as common in captivity as the Blue-and-yellow macaw, and are much more expensive; prices are often double that of the blue and gold.

Red-and-white crake
Resident

Red-and-white crake

The red-and-white crake is a species of bird in subfamily Rallinae of family Rallidae, the rails, gallinules, and coots. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. This species was formerly placed in the genus Laterallus.

Red-and-white spinetail
Resident

Red-and-white spinetail

The red-and-white spinetail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, and Peru.

Red-and-yellow barbet
Resident

Red-and-yellow barbet

The red-and-yellow barbet is a species of African barbet found in eastern Africa. Males have distinctive black, red, and yellow plumage; females and juveniles are similar, but less brightly colored. The species lives in broken terrain and nests and roosts in burrows. Omnivorous, the species feeds on seeds, fruit, and invertebrates. Where not hunted, they are tame, but their feathers are used by certain tribes, such as the Maasai.