Wayne's weaver is a bird species of the Ploceidae family.
Region
Central Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs in the Central African/Grea t Lakes region, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, and adjacent areas. It favors papyrus swamps, flooded grasses, riparian thickets, and swampy forest edges along rivers and lakes. Colonies are often sited over slow-moving water where emergent vegetation is dense. Outside breeding, it uses adjacent moist woodland and cultivated edges near wetlands. Local movements track water levels and seasonal food availability.
Altitude Range
600–1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Weyns's weaver is a colonial nest-builder that intricately weaves oval, suspended nests over water or in dense wetland vegetation. Males often construct several starter nests to attract females, which then inspect and choose. It is named after the Belgian collector who worked in the Congo Basin. Like many weavers, it forms noisy breeding colonies with constant chattering and display flights.
at Nairobi National Museum(eyes should be yellow).
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief undulations
Social Behavior
Highly colonial during breeding, with many nests clustered in a small area over water. Males weave nests and perform display flights and wing-flicks to attract females, and the species is often polygynous. Nests are suspended from reeds or branches above water to deter predators.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A lively series of chattering notes, buzzes, and sharp twitters delivered in bursts around the colony. Males vocalize frequently while displaying near fresh nests. Calls include harsh scolds and softer contact chips within feeding flocks.
Plumage
Male shows bright yellow to golden underparts with olive-brown upperparts lightly streaked, and a dusky face mask; female is duller, olive-brown above with yellowish wash below and less contrast. Both sexes have compact, neat plumage suited to wetland vegetation and a strong, finch-like bill.
Diet
Takes grass and sedge seeds, small insects such as beetles and caterpillars, and occasionally spiders and nectar. During breeding it increases insect intake to feed nestlings protein-rich prey. Forages by gleaning from reed stems and leaves and by picking items from the water surface or low foliage. Often joins mixed-species gatherings in productive wetland patches.
Preferred Environment
Feeds primarily in papyrus and other emergent wetland vegetation, also using adjacent damp fields and edges of swampy forest. Will move along river margins and lake shores where seed heads and insect concentrations are highest.
