Speke's weaver facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Speke's weaver |
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| Adult male Soysambu Conservancy, Kenya |
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Ploceus
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| Species: |
spekei
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The Speke's weaver (Ploceus spekei) is a well-known songbird found in East Africa. These birds are part of the weaver family, famous for their amazing nest-building skills.
Contents
What Does a Speke's Weaver Look Like?
Colors and Markings
Speke's weavers have pale eyes and a fairly large beak for a weaver bird. Unlike many other birds, their feathers look the same all year round.
The adult male Speke's weaver is mostly bright yellow. It has a black throat, face, and beak. Its back often has black spots or patterns.
The adult female looks a bit different. Her upper body is a dull olive-gray color with dark brown streaks. Her belly is pale yellow, becoming whiter towards the middle and grayer on the sides. Young Speke's weavers look similar to the females but have duller colors.
Sounds and Calls
What Does a Speke's Weaver Sound Like?
Speke's weavers have a varied song. One way to describe it is "pew…pew…tew, chinkichi-chewchew-skerinkitsitew".
When they are near their nests, they make harsh chattering sounds. They also have a sharp call that sounds like "tseep!"
Nesting and Reproduction
How Speke's Weavers Build Their Homes
These birds often build their nests in groups, forming colonies. Sometimes, a pair might build a nest by themselves. They often choose acacia trees for their homes.
The nest is shaped like a ball. It has a short entrance tube that opens to the side or points downwards. Many grass stems stick out from the nest, sometimes making it look a bit messy.
Eggs and Young Birds
Speke's weavers build nests and lay eggs during both the short rainy season and the middle of the long rainy season.
A typical nest holds four eggs. These eggs are a deep blue color and do not have any spots. They are pointed at both ends, usually about 24 to 26 millimeters long and 15 to 17 millimeters wide.
Where Do Speke's Weavers Live?
Their Home in East Africa
You can find Speke's weavers in several countries in East Africa. They live in northern and eastern Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, and northeastern Tanzania. In Kenya, they are mostly found in the central highlands.
Habitats and Where They Are Common
These birds live in many different places. They can be found in savanna areas, bushy lands, farms, and even towns.
In some parts of their home range, they are very common. For example, in and around Nairobi, Kenya, which is a busy city, Speke's weavers are often seen visiting bird feeders in people's gardens.
How Did Speke's Weaver Get Its Name?
This bird was named after a famous explorer, John Hanning Speke. He was known for his expeditions in Africa.
Images for kids
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Adult female
