Ploceus temporalis
The Bocage's Weaver (Ploceus temporalis) is a vibrant songbird belonging to the diverse Ploceidae family, named in honor of Portuguese zoologist José Vicente Barbosa du Bocage. Measuring approximately 14 cm (5.5 inches) in length, this species exhibits striking sexual dimorphism and seasonal plumage changes. Breeding males are unmistakable with their rich golden-yellow underparts, a distinctive black mask extending from the forehead to the chin, and a chestnut crown and hindneck contrasting w...
This species primarily inhabits subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, savannas, and swamps, often frequenting areas near water bodies such as rivers, lakes, or marshy reedbeds, typically at low to moderate elevations.
Bocage's Weavers are omnivorous, primarily consuming a mix of insects, including small invertebrates, and various seeds and grains, typically gleaned from vegetation or the ground.
Bocage's Weavers are highly social birds, often observed in mixed-species foraging flocks outside the breeding season, enhancing vigilance against predators. During the breeding period, they form loose colonies, with males meticulously constructing intricate, retort-shaped nests woven from grass ...
The Bocage's Weaver is endemic to a relatively restricted area of central Africa, with its primary distribution encompassing Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia. Within this range, it is found across various lowland areas, often associated with specific riparian habitats or marsh...
Least Concern
- Bocage's Weaver is named after José Vicente Barbosa du Bocage, a prominent 19th-century Portuguese zoologist who extensively studied African fauna. - Like many species in the Ploceidae family, the males are master architects, constructing elaborate, woven nests from plant material. - Their vibr...