Orange Weaver
Ploceus aurantius
A medium-sized weaver with a long, relatively slim bill. Male is mostly bright yellow with an orange throat and black lores. The female is much duller, greenish-yellow with a white belly. The eye color of both sexes can be whitish or red, and the bill can be mostly pinkish or black. A colonial nester that is found around wetlands, including lakes, rivers, and swamps. Similar to Holub’s Golden-Weaver, but smaller and slimmer-billed. Female can be confused with several other female and non-breeding male weavers, but is usually found in association with the more distinctive males. Vocalizations are typical of weavers: “chet” notes and a sizzling “radio static” song.
Identification
The orange weaver can reach a length of about 12.5 centimetres (4.9 in), including the tail. These birds exhibit sexual dimorphism, and plumage also varies seasonally. During breeding or "nuptial" season, the male has a black beak, a small patch of black skin in front and behind the eyes (making the eyes look oval in shape), and brown wings. The rest of the plumage is a brilliant red to orange in color. Bill is pale and slender, while eyes are reddish-brown or pale grey.<p>Outside of breeding season, the males sport plumage that is considerably more drab, brown overall with some dark streaks and a cream-colored belly. The females have the same plumage year-round, which resembles that of the off-season males. The males of this species are often confused with males of the species Euplectes orix, commonly known as the southern red bishop. This bird has a black belly, however.
Taxonomy
There are two subspecies recognized:
- Scientific name
- Ploceus aurantius
- Authority
- (Vieillot, 1805)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Ploceidae
- Genus
- Ploceus
Range and habitat
This species can be found in western and central Africa. The Orange Weaver live in mangroves, thickets and swamps in coastal lagoons and along major West African rivers.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
In the wild orange weavers are polygamous, two or three females should generally be provided for each male and they make their homes in reed beds close to the surface of water. Like most other finches, these birds are colonial, with hundreds of complexly woven nests at some sites, which include palms, reeds and other trees.<p>They mainly feed on fruit and seeds, but also on insects (locusts, beetles, caterpillars). They are usually found in pairs or in small groups. Males build an ovoid nest with grass and palm strips. Females lay two eggs and incubate them.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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