Scientific name: Ploceus spekei
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Ploceidae (weaver birds)
- Genus: Ploceus
- Species: P. spekei
Description
Speke's weaver is a small passerine bird, measuring approximately 12–13 cm in length. Adults exhibit sexual dimorphism. Males in breeding plumage display bright yellow underparts, a black head, and a distinctive black mask extending from the eye to the base of the bill. The back and wings are olive-green, and the tail is black with white outer feathers. Females and non‑breeding males are duller, with olive-brown upperparts and paler underparts lacking the vivid yellow of breeding males. Both sexes have a conical, stubby bill adapted for seed consumption.
Distribution and Habitat
The species occurs in East Africa, primarily in Kenya, Ethiopia, and northern Tanzania. Its range is closely associated with the highland savanna and open woodland zones, particularly in areas featuring scattered trees and shrubs near water sources. Speke's weaver favors habitats such as riverine thickets, agricultural fields with scattered trees, and bushy grasslands where suitable nesting sites are available.
Behavior and Ecology
- Feeding: Primarily granivorous, feeding on a variety of grass seeds, millet, and other small seeds. Insects are taken opportunistically, especially during the breeding season to provide protein for chicks.
- Social structure: Like other weaver species, Speke's weaver is colonial. Nests are built in loose colonies, often comprising 10–30 nests per tree, though larger aggregations have been observed.
- Nesting: The species constructs intricate suspended nests woven from grass stems and strips of spider silk, attached to thin branches over water or dense foliage. Nests are oval-shaped with a side entrance. The female lays 2–3 white eggs, which are incubated for about 12–14 days. Both parents feed the altricial chicks, which fledge after approximately 20 days.
Vocalizations
The bird emits a series of high-pitched, metallic chirps and trills, often heard during the breeding season. Calls serve both territorial and contact functions within the colony.
Conservation Status
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, Speke's weaver is listed as Least Concern. The species has a relatively wide distribution and appears to maintain stable population trends. However, localized threats include habitat alteration due to agricultural expansion and pesticide use, which can affect food availability and breeding success.
Etymology
The common name honors the British explorer Sir John Hanning Speke (1827–1864), who is noted for his exploratory work in East Africa, including the discovery of Lake Victoria. The species was first described scientifically by G.R. Gray in 1869, who chose the epithet “spekei” in tribute to Speke.
References
- BirdLife International. (2022). Ploceus spekei. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022.
- Payne, R. B. (2005). Family Ploceidae (Weavers and Allies). In J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, & D. A. Christie (Eds.), Handbook of the Birds of the World, Vol. 12: Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees (pp. 497‑511). Lynx Edicions.
- Fry, C. H., Keith, S., & Urban, E. K. (2004). The Birds of Africa: Volume III. Academic Press.
