Black-headed weaver

The black-headed weaver, also known as the yellow-backed weaver, is a captivating bird belonging to the Ploceidae family. Remarkably, scientists believe that Ploceus victoriae might be a hybrid of Ploceus melanocephalus and Ploceus castanops.

What distinguishes the breeding males of this species is their striking black heads and yellow collars. In contrast, females and non-breeding males lack the black head, making them look quite different from the breeding males.

You can find the black-headed weaver across West, Central, and East Africa, with some populations even establishing in the Iberian Peninsula. These birds are commonly found in savannas and similar environments, particularly near water sources. Ingeniously, they often construct their nests in Acacia trees, approximately three meters above the ground, to avoid predators.