Lesser Masked Weaver (Ploceus intermedius)
Illustration redrawn by AI from a real photograph

Lesser Masked Weaver

Ploceus intermedius Rüppell, 1845

21 gWeight

The lesser masked weaver (Ploceus intermedius) is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae.

Busiest months: October–November · Most records: South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania

Least Concern

Where and when it's recorded

Busiest months: October–November · Most records: South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania

Lesser Masked Weaver has been recorded at 328 of the 8,276 birding hotspots we track, in 20 countries and regions.

Records by month Southern Hemisphere

Where it's recorded most

  1. Lake Mburo NPUganda410 records
  2. Lake BaringoKenya289 records
  3. Nairobi NPKenya255 records
More places
  1. Kruger NP – Lower Sabie Rest CampSouth Africa252 records
  2. Mkhuze GRSouth Africa230 records
  3. Tarangire NPTanzania195 records
  4. Kruger NP – Satara CampSouth Africa183 records
  5. Kruger NP – Skukuza CampSouth Africa181 records
  6. Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Ngorongoro CraterTanzania176 records
  7. Serengeti NPTanzania167 records

Countries and regions with the most records

South AfricaKenyaTanzaniaUgandaNamibiaMozambiqueBotswanaZambia

eBird records via GBIF up to 2024-12-31. A record means someone listed it; more records partly mean more birders, not more birds.

About

The lesser masked weaver (Ploceus intermedius) is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae. It builds its nests in large colonies, often alongside the village weaver and sometimes the red-billed buffalo weaver. This species is commonly parasitised by the Diederik cuckoo.

Excerpt from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 · authors · Read more on Wikipedia

Questions

How big is the Lesser Masked Weaver?

The Lesser Masked Weaver weighs around 21 g.

Where does the Lesser Masked Weaver live?

Its breeding range: Africa: eastern, southeastern, southern. It is most often recorded in South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania.

When is the best time to see the Lesser Masked Weaver?

At the hotspots we track, it is recorded most in October and November (Southern Hemisphere).

Is the Lesser Masked Weaver endangered?

The IUCN Red List classifies the Lesser Masked Weaver as Least Concern.

What does the Lesser Masked Weaver eat?

Main food: Insects & other invertebrates.

What family is the Lesser Masked Weaver in?

It belongs to the family Weavers, Widowbirds (Ploceidae), order Passerines (Passeriformes).

At a glance

Weight
21 g
Habitat
Woodland
Diet
Insects & other invertebrates
Lifestyle
Perches in trees
Migration
Resident (barely migrates)
Conservation
Least Concern
More measurements
Wing
69 mm
Tail
45 mm
Bill
17 mm
Tarsus
21 mm

Averages from the AVONET dataset; length from field guides where available.

Range

Africa: eastern, southeastern, southern

Breeding range, IOC World Bird List 15.2

Classification

Order
Passerines Passeriformes
Family
Weavers, Widowbirds Ploceidae
Genus
Ploceus

Other birds in the genus Ploceus

Baglafecht WeaverBaglafecht WeaverPloceus baglafechtBannerman's WeaverBannerman's WeaverPloceus bannermaniBates's WeaverBates's WeaverPloceus batesiBlack-chinned WeaverBlack-chinned WeaverPloceus nigrimentusBertram's WeaverBertram's WeaverPloceus bertrandiSlender-billed WeaverSlender-billed WeaverPloceus pelzelniLoango WeaverLoango WeaverPloceus subpersonatusLittle WeaverLittle WeaverPloceus luteolusSpectacled WeaverSpectacled WeaverPloceus ocularisOlive-naped WeaverOlive-naped WeaverPloceus brachypterusBlack-necked WeaverBlack-necked WeaverPloceus nigricollisStrange WeaverStrange WeaverPloceus alienus
Lesser Masked Weaver

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Free to use with credit: “Illustration: Bird Album (birdalbum.com)”. Drawn by AI from a reference photo by Nik Borrow. ↗

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