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White-Headed Buffalo-Weaver

28 destinations · 20 states

Native Range
Eastern Africa, especially Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia, and Ethiopia

The white-headed buffalo-weaver is a chunky, dark-plumaged bird with a pale head and stout bill that gives it a distinctive look among African savanna birds. Watch one for a few minutes and you'll see that it is rarely just sitting still. It hops between branches and the ground, searching for seeds, fruit, insects, and other small foods. Its strong bill is useful for handling tough food, while the bird's confident movements make it easy to follow around an exhibit. White-headed buffalo-weavers are social and may gather in pairs or small groups, often communicating with calls as they move through thorny woodland and dry scrub. Their nests are another detail worth looking for. They build bulky, untidy-looking structures from sticks, often wedged into thorny trees where the tangled branches provide some protection. At a zoo or wildlife destination, watch for the contrast between the bird's pale head and dark body, then look at the feet and bill as it works through its surroundings. The combination of busy foraging and conspicuous nesting habits makes this bird more engaging the longer you watch.

White-Headed Buffalo-Weaver

Where to see White-Headed Buffalo-Weaver

28 destinations across 20 states

28 destinations

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