Photo: Simon J. Tonge / CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Black-necked Weaver
Ploceus nigricollis
Black-necked Weaver (Ploceus nigricollis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Black-necked Weaver (Ploceus nigricollis) is a member of the Ploceidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 27.1 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 nigricollis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 27.1 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Ploceidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Endangered
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Black-necked Weaver is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open woodland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Black-necked Weaver is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Black-necked Weaver (Ploceus nigricollis) is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF c, e.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 27.1 g, with a wing length of about 7.5 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.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 2.5 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Black-necked Weaver?
The Black-necked Weaver is a small bird that weighs around 27.1 g.
Where does the Black-necked Weaver live?
The Black-necked Weaver is found across Africa with a range covering AF c, e, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Black-necked Weaver belong to?
The Black-necked Weaver (Ploceus nigricollis) belongs to the Ploceidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Black-necked Weaver eat?
The Black-necked Weaver is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Black-necked Weaver migrate?
The Black-necked Weaver is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Black-necked 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 Black-necked Weaver make?
1 real field recording of the Black-necked Weaver — including its begging call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Black-necked Weaver's range?
The Black-necked Weaver has a mapped global range of about 2.5 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Ploceidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Songbirds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Guides for this bird
Best Bird Feeders for Garden Songbirds
How to choose a bird feeder for garden songbirds — the feeder styles compared, the seed they prefer, where to hang it, and how to keep birds safe. A decision framework grounded in real data, with no mystery picks.