Red-headed Weaver

The Red-headed Weaver is an unusually plumaged weaverbird, easily told apart from other weavers by its striking red head and coral-red bill.

Appearance

• Breeding male: crimson-red head, throat, and upper breast, with a red bill; back mottled with red, black, and olive-yellow; pale grey-white underparts
• Female and non-breeding male: much duller, with a yellowish-olive head and less red overall, though the reddish bill is often retained
• Slim build compared with some other weavers, with a fairly long, slightly downcurved bill

The species is sometimes placed in its own genus, Anaplectes, distinguishing it structurally from typical Ploceus weavers.

Key field marks

• Bright red head, throat, and bill on breeding males
• Pale grey underparts contrasting with the red head
• Back showing a mix of red, black, and yellowish tones

Similar species

• Red-headed weavers are unlikely to be confused with other weavers since no other common Ploceus species combines a fully red head with a red bill and grey underparts.
• Some bishops and red-plumaged finches show red coloring but lack the weaver's bill shape, grey belly, and behavior.
• Females and non-breeding birds are duller and can be told by the reddish bill and overall slim weaver shape.

Range

Occurs in scattered populations across sub-Saharan Africa, including parts of West Africa, East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania), and southern Africa (Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa).

Habitat

Prefers savanna woodland, thornveld, and broadleaved woodland, often in drier habitats than many other weaver species.

Movements

Generally resident, though it can be locally uncommon or patchily distributed across its range.

Behavior

Less strongly colonial than many other weavers, often nesting solitarily or in small, loose groups rather than large colonies.

Voice

Gives sharp chirps and a soft, warbling song, generally quieter and less raucous than the calls of colonial weavers like the Village Weaver.

Feeding

Forages actively in trees and shrubs for insects, supplementing its diet with seeds, gleaning from foliage rather than feeding mainly on the ground.

Nesting

Builds a distinctive, tightly woven nest with a long entrance tunnel, suspended from a thin branch, often at the tip of an outer twig to reduce predation risk; typically nests alone or in small, scattered groups rather than dense colonies.