Clarke's Weaver - BirdForum Opus

Part of a feeding flock; females and immature birds
Photo by Steve G
Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Kenya

Ploceus golandi

Identification

Length 13-14 cm
Male: The upperparts, head and breast are black with yellow edging to wing and tail feathers; yellow underparts, white belly, yellow-and-white vent.
Female: Olive upperparts, yellow underparts.

Adult male Clarke's Weaver
Photo by Steve G
Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Kenya

Distribution

South east Kenya.

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species^[2].

Habitat

Lowland moist forest and Miombo woodland.

Status

Classified as Endangered in the 2008 IUCN Red List.^[1]

Behaviour

Moulting male Clarke's Weaver
Photo by Steve G
Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Kenya

Diet

The diet includes beetles and caterpillars.

Breeding

They nest in tall trees. Seems to be nesting in large colonies

References

1. BirdLife International. 2008. Species factsheet: Ploceus golandi. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 5/4/2009.
2. Clements, JF. 2010. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2010. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/Clements%206.5.xls/view
3. Birdforum thread discussing the nesting of this species

• List of references

Recommended Citation

• BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Clarke's Weaver. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 2 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Clarke%27s_Weaver

External Links

Steve G's post with more images and information.

Search for photos of Clarke's Weaver in the gallery