Taveta Golden Weaver

Ploceus castaneiceps

Other Names

    Tisserin de Taveta   Genickbandweber     Tavetavävare     Tessitore dorato di Taveta

World: Africa: Endemic to the border region of southern Kenya and NE Tanzania

Kenya: Swamp and river margins below 1500m on the southern border, particularly around Lake Jipe and the Amboseli-Taveta area.

Nests over water using fresh, green grass to build its spherical nests. This endemic species is relatively common across its range. Unlike many other ploceus weavers it shows no seasonal variation in plumage which makes the adults easy to distinguish at all times of the year. In colouring it is similar to the Golden Palm Weaver when in its sub-adult plumage but the adult male pluamge (yellow-olive back, wings and tail, rufous crescent on head and rufous breast patch) is very distinctive. In any case the Golden Palm Weaver and Taveta Golden Weaver do not overlap in range.