The Cape Weaver (Ploceus capensis) is a resident breeding bird species endemic to South Africa.
This common species occurs in grassland, agricultural and fynbos habitats, often near rivers. In breeds in noisy colonies in trees (often willows or Eucalyptus, rarely palms) and reedbeds.
This weaverbuilds a large coarsely woven nest made of grass and leaf strips with adownward facing entrance which is suspended from a branch or reed. The Hadeda ibis will sometimes nest in the weaver colonies.
The Cape Weaver is a stocky 17 cm long bird with streakedolive-brown upperparts and a long pointed conical bill. The breedingmale has a yellow head and underparts, an orange face, and a white iris.
The adult female has an olive-yellow head and breast, shading topale yellow on the lower belly. Her eyes are brown. Young birds aresimilar to the female.
The Cape Weaver feeds on a wide variety of seeds, grain and insects. The calls of this bird include a harsh "azwit, azwit".