Photo: Derek Keats from South Africa / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Cape Weaver
Ploceus capensis
Cape Weaver (Ploceus capensis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Cape Weaver (Ploceus capensis) is a member of the Ploceidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 44 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Ploceidae Weavers, Widowbirds
- Genus Ploceus
- Species capensis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 44 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Ploceidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Endangered
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Cape Weaver is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of open woodland, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Cape Weaver is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Cape Weaver (Ploceus capensis) is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF South Africa.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 44 g, with a wing length of about 9 cm and a tail of around 5.6 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 666,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Cape Weaver?
The Cape Weaver is a small bird that weighs around 44 g.
Where does the Cape Weaver live?
The Cape Weaver is found across Africa with a range covering AF South Africa, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Cape Weaver belong to?
The Cape Weaver (Ploceus capensis) belongs to the Ploceidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Cape Weaver eat?
The Cape Weaver is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Cape Weaver migrate?
The Cape Weaver is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Cape Weaver endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Cape Weaver make?
1 real field recording of the Cape Weaver — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Cape Weaver's range?
The Cape Weaver has a mapped global range of about 666,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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