Class: Aves

Order: Passeriformes

Scientific Name: Ploceus castaneiceps

Range: Kenya and Tanzania in East Africa

Habitat: Swamp vegetation and open acacia woodland

Diet: Wild: Grass, seeds
Zoo: Small seeds vegetables and fruits

Gestation: Incubation: 13 days

Litter: Clutch size: Normally 3 eggs

Description: This small bird about 5.5 inches long is bright yellow overall with greenish yellow backs and tails. The yellow wings are tinged with rusty black bars. From other similar colored weaver birds, the back of its head and breast patches of light orange-red are its distinguishing features. These spots are a feature of the male, it is absent in the females.

Behavior: Gregarious, nesting in large colonies.

Reproduction: Kenya: October to May; Tanzania: September to January. Nests are suspended over water in reed beds.

Did You Know? Taveta Golden Weavers are difficult to identify from other yellow weaver finches.

Where in the Zoo? I can be found in the African Elephant Crossing at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.