Photo: Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Northern Masked Weaver
Ploceus taeniopterus
Northern Masked Weaver (Ploceus taeniopterus) — 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 Northern Masked Weaver (Ploceus taeniopterus) is a member of the Ploceidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 17.6 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 taeniopterus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 17.6 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Ploceidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Northern Masked Weaver is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Northern Masked Weaver is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Northern Masked Weaver (Ploceus taeniopterus) belongs to the Ploceidae family of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF ec.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 17.6 g, with a wing length of about 6.7 cm and a tail of around 4.4 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 188,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Northern Masked Weaver?
The Northern Masked Weaver is a small bird that weighs around 17.6 g.
Where does the Northern Masked Weaver live?
The Northern Masked Weaver is found across Africa with a range covering AF ec, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Northern Masked Weaver belong to?
The Northern Masked Weaver (Ploceus taeniopterus) belongs to the Ploceidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Northern Masked Weaver eat?
The Northern Masked Weaver is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Northern Masked Weaver migrate?
The Northern Masked Weaver is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Northern Masked 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 Northern Masked Weaver make?
1 real field recording of the Northern Masked Weaver — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Northern Masked Weaver's range?
The Northern Masked Weaver has a mapped global range of about 188,000 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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Guides for this bird
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