Birds › African savanna › Southern Masked Weaver

Southern Masked Weaver

Ploceus velatus

The male weaves a hanging nest from grass strips. If a female rejects it, he tears it down and builds another.

Where to see it for real: Nests hang from thorn trees and reeds across southern Africa.

Spot it in the game

Lives in the African savanna habitat (Southern and East Africa, at sunset).

Southern Masked Weaver facts

Family

Weavers

Length

5.9 in (15 cm)

Weight

1.1 oz (30 g)

Diet

Seeds, insects and nectar.

Range

Southern Africa.

Nest

A woven, hanging ball of grass with the entrance at the bottom.

Song

A swizzling, chattering song.

Active

by day

Status

Least Concern on the IUCN Red List: widespread and not at risk.

What the Southern Masked Weaver sounds like

How to attract the Southern Masked Weaver

Feeder foods, favorite first: millet, sunflower seed. Feeders that hold them: tube feeder and platform feeder. Keep a bird bath full, too.

In the game: fill a feeder with millet and sunflower seed and keep the bird bath full. It is a common visitor.

More: bird songs and calls, what to feed birds.

More birds of the African savanna

Lilac-breasted RollerAfrican savannaSuperb StarlingAfrican savannaLittle Bee-eaterAfrican savannaSouthern Yellow-billed HornbillAfrican savannaHelmeted GuineafowlAfrican savannaGray Go-away-birdAfrican savanna