Taveta golden weavers are found in Tanzania and Kenya, living in a range of habitats including wetlands, savannas and forests.
The life of a Taveta golden weaver
Taveta golden weavers can grow up to six inches long, can weigh up to one ounce and live up to 20 years.
Taveta golden weavers get their name from their mating habits. Males weave elaborate nests that have several chambers for housing and raising young. The nests are built in trees, usually with thorny branches or suspended over water. This protects the nests from predators. Females choose their mate based on the quality of the nest. After choosing her partner, the female lines the nest with soft material like feathers or grass.
Females then lay two to three eggs. After hatching, chicks are ready to leave the nest after only two weeks. Taveta golden weavers form large flocks, or colonies, which the young join soon after leaving the nest.
Taveta golden weavers are omnivores that mainly eat seeds, but can also eat grass, corn, grain, invertebrates and insects. Their predators include lizards, snakes and larger birds of prey.
Taveta golden weavers at the zoo
Located in the Vollum Aviary.
