Ploceidae bird family

Order Passeriformes · 6 selected species

Browse verified BirdLens profiles selected for complete taxonomy, substantial descriptive coverage, and visual evidence. Open a species to compare its identification notes, distribution, behavior, sounds, and maps.

Aldabra FodyFoudia aldabranaA sparrow-like weaver. The mostly scarlet, yellow-bellied breeding males are distinctive, but females and non-breeding males are drab. Found in scrub, mangroves, and woodland on the island of Aldabra in the Seychelles. Similar to Red Fody, which recently reached Aldabra, and they have hybridized. Breeding males easily separated by their yellow belly. Females and non-breeding males very similar to those plumages of Red Fody, but can be cautiously separated by a stronger yellow wash, especially on the underparts and head. Calls are high, silvery notes, given in long series as a song.

Long-tailed WidowbirdEuplectes progneLarge dark widowbird. Breeding males, with massive tails and red and white highlights on their broad black wings, are unmistakable. Non-breeding males lose their long tails and become streaky and brown but keep the distinctive wing pattern. Females are brown and streaky year-round. Breeds in moist grassland but sometimes found in cultivation and other open habitats. Usually in flocks, especially when not breeding. Males give a very slow display flight in which the huge tail hangs down. Song is a sizzling trill. Females could be confused with many other species but even during the non-breeding season usually associate with males, which show a distinctive wing pattern.

Long-tailed WidowbirdEuplectes progneLarge dark widowbird. Breeding males, with massive tails and red and white highlights on their broad black wings, are unmistakable. Non-breeding males lose their long tails and become streaky and brown but keep the distinctive wing pattern. Females are brown and streaky year-round. Breeds in moist grassland but sometimes found in cultivation and other open habitats. Usually in flocks, especially when not breeding. Males give a very slow display flight in which the huge tail hangs down. Song is a sizzling trill. Females could be confused with many other species but even during the non-breeding season usually associate with males, which show a distinctive wing pattern.

Northern Red BishopEuplectes franciscanusA very small gregarious species of open habitats including agricultural areas and the edges of marshes; often found in flocks of tens to hundreds. Note the black face and crown, brown wings, and long reddish orange uppertail coverts (concealing black tail) of breeding male. Nonbreeding males and females distinguished from similar Black-winged Bishop by smaller size and bill and told from Yellow-crowned Bishop by buffier coloration and more limited streaking on chest. Song is a rapid jumble of squeaky, twittering, and churring notes. Its calls include a sharp “tsit” and “tzit.”

Red-billed QueleaQuelea queleaA small, short-tailed weaver with a mottled back and a yellow or reddish bill, eye-ring, and legs. When breeding, the male develops a variable black face mask with a surrounding wash that can be rosy, buff, or cinnamon, although the face can also be whitish. Large flocks are resident and nomadic in arid savanna, grassland, and cultivated areas. In wetter years this species forms enormous flocks numbering tens of thousands, earning it the name “feathered locust.” Non-breeding Red-headed Weaver is superficially similar, but it is much larger than Red-billed Quelea, and it is mostly solitary in woodland and has an unstreaked back.

Village WeaverPloceus cucullatusA gregarious species of open habitats, especially weedy and agricultural areas; occurs in flocks of tens to hundreds. Typically one of the most common weaver species where it occurs, but care should be taken to separate it from rarer species, especially when in nonbreeding plumage. Note the red eyes, hefty bill, and relatively large size. Where introduced in the Caribbean, the bill shape and eye color separate breeding male weavers from oriole species. Village Weavers in other plumages are distinguished from the Northern Red Bishop by their larger size, larger bill, and eye color. Constructs compact hanging woven nests, often in large colonies in or near towns. Like most weavers, has a remarkable song made up of a jumble of squeaky notes followed by a drawn out sizzling buzz. Calls include a sharp “dzip” and “chut” or “chit” given singly or in series. Flocks create a loud burbling chatter.