Taveta Golden Weaver

Ploceus castaneiceps

A bright yellow East African weaver whose males weave fancy grass nests to impress females.

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About the Taveta Golden Weaver

Taveta golden weavers are about 5.5 inches long and weigh less than an ounce. Males are bright yellow with greenish backs and chestnut patches; females are duller yellowish-olive. They live only in a small area of southeastern Kenya and northeastern Tanzania, in woodlands, forests and swamps. They eat mostly seeds, cracking them with short, thick bills, plus grass and insects during nesting.^[1]

Quick facts

Scientific name: Ploceus castaneiceps^[1]
Size: About 5.5 inches long.^[1]
Weight: About 0.6 to 0.8 ounces.^[1]
Lifespan: About 10 years in the wild.^[1]
Diet: Mostly seeds and grasses, plus insects when nesting.^[1]
Habitat: Woodlands, forests, swamps and marshes.^[1]
Where it lives: Southeastern Kenya and northeastern Tanzania.^[1]
Group life: Groups and large nesting colonies.^[1]
Babies: 2 or 3 eggs.^[1]
Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN Red List, assessed 2016).^[2]

Fun facts

Females choose a mate by inspecting his nest.^[1]
Several weaver pairs may share one big nest like an apartment building.^[1]
Weavers are named for the nests they weave.^[1]

Vocabulary

weaver: A small bird that weaves nests from grass.
colony: A large group of animals of one kind that live or nest together.
sexually dimorphic: Having males and females that look different.
riparian: Along the banks of a river or stream.
least concern: A conservation label meaning a species is widespread and not at risk of dying out soon.

See it in person

Oakland ZooOakland, California · African SavannaSee this animal on the zoo's website ↗

These zoos had this animal when we gathered our information, but animals sometimes move. Check the zoo's website or contact the zoo before you visit.

Sources

[1] Oakland Zoo. “Taveta Golden Weaver.” https://www.oaklandzoo.org/animals/taveta-golden-weaver/ (accessed 2026-10-02)
[2] IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. “Ploceus castaneiceps (Taveta Golden Weaver).” https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22718841/94599000 (accessed 2026-10-02)

Facts last checked 2026-10-02.

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