Taveta weaver
| Taveta weaver | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Ploceidae |
| Genus: | Ploceus |
| Species: | P. castaneiceps |
| Binomial name | |
| Ploceus castaneiceps (Sharpe, 1890) | |
The Taveta weaver (Ploceus castaneiceps) is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family. It is found in Kenya and Tanzania. The name of the bird comes from the unique markings/coloration of the bird, as well as how these birds weave intricate nests.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ploceus castaneiceps. |
Physical characteristics
The male Taveta weaver is a vibrant golden yellow color; this color is duller on its back. The wings and tail are a greener color, whereas brown spots are located on the chest. The back of the head is red, and the bill, or beak, is black. The female is an olive color with paler streaks. In general, the Taveta weaver is a small bird, around the size of the finch and closely related to the sparrow.
Habitat and geographical range
This bird can be found in coastal east Africa from eastern Tanzania to southeastern Kenya. It prefers to live in bulrushes, woodland, and swampy areas. Some Asian species of this bird have been found.
Diet
The Taveta weaver eats mostly seeds. The offspring of the receive food from the mother. This bird also feeds off of corn and grasses.
Life cycle/social structure
These birds live in large groups, or colonies. Weavers often make a unique—often described as "weird"—noise to communicate. Male weavers build extravagant oval nests over water attached to stems of reeds or grasses. The Taveta weavers lay two or three glossy, dark, olive-green eggs. The female bird chooses who she will mate, depending on how impressed she is with a male's skill to construct a nest.
Special adaptations
The Taveta weaver has strong claws and bills which enable the bird to weave complex nests. Nests can sometimes fill an entire tree; the weaver usually breeds within the colonies. Even though they are considered songbirds, the sounds that the bird makes is not pleasing to past human observers. The Taveta weaver is currently not endangered.
References
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Ploceus castaneiceps". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
External links
- Taveta weaver - Species text in Weaver Watch.