White-Browed Sparrow-Weaver
Plocepasser mahali
Habitat
Ground
Diet
Omnivore
Active Time
Diurnal
Size
41 g
About This Species
Look for this sociable weaver's untidy, retort-shaped nests hanging from acacia and other thorny trees across savanna and dry scrubland in eastern and southern Africa, where small groups forage on the ground for seeds and insects near their nest tree. Its chattering, whistling calls carry well across open bush, and birds are often seen darting between the ground and nest entrances. Dry savanna in the cooler morning hours, when foraging activity is highest, offers the best viewing.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Watching from 10 to 15 metres near a nest tree avoids disrupting foraging or nest-building activity in this common, colonial species.
- Protections for wild birds differ across the several countries in its range, so confirm local regulations before approaching a colony closely.
- Avoid handling or shaking nest trees, since a single tree may host multiple active nests at once.
LCAvesPasseriformesPasseridae
Seasonal Activity
181,837 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Passeridae
Traits
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Foraging
- Ground
- Activity
- Diurnal
- Body mass
- 41 g
Photo
(c) Paul Hoekman, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Paul Hoekman
CC-BY-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.