Ploceus intermedius
The Lesser Masked Weaver inhabits thorny savannas, usually near water, feeding on insects, seeds and nectar. They’ve also become more common in suburban parks and gardens of late. In South Africa they are found from northern Kwazulu-Natal, through Mpumalanga and Limpopo to Gauteng and marginally into North West Province, and, as far as the rest of the continent is concerned, patchily from our northern neighbouring states through to Ethiopia. While it is less numerous and widespread than the other two similarly-looking weavers in South Africa, being the Village and Southern Masked Weavers, the IUCN lists the Lesser Masked Weaver as being of least concern.
Lesser Masked Weavers nest in small colonies of up to 200 meticulously woven nests, usually fewer, built in trees and reedbeds, usually over water, during spring and summer. Sometimes they formed mixed colonies with Village Weavers. Males are polygamous, weaving nests for and mating with as many females as possible. Females are solely responsible for the incubation of the eggs (clutches number from 2-4 eggs) over a 2 week period, as well as rearing of the chicks, which fledge about two weeks after hatching. Adults Lesser Masked Weavers measure about 14cm in length and weigh around 21g.
DeWetsWild 
A lovely collection of photos. They are beautiful and watching them at nest building time is fascinating.
Thanks again, Carol!
Hulle is darem maar pragtig Dries!
Kikker sommer n grou dag op met hul helder geel!
Great gallery.
Thank you P J B
An interesting selection of photographs – always enjoyable to see.
Thanks you very much, Anne
It must be pretty noisy to have 200 of those little birds nesting nearby.
Noisy, and messy! 😀
🙂
Pretty cute and I love their colors.
janet
A whole tree full of bright yellow feathers is a beautiful scene, Janet
This is a very beautiful bird, one that I would hate to label “lesser.” And I love the many photos showing them in different settings, different positions.
I think the COVID-19″lockdown” would have been an excellent opportunity for the world’s ornithologists to come up with names that are better suited to birds currently done in by their monikers! 🙂
Good point!!!
Pretty little busy bird. Wonderful nest builders. Thank you, D. 🙂
Thanks H.J. There’s so much to wonder at in nature. The precision with which a weaver constructs its nest is definitely a case in point.
This little one was born with a mask! Not a problem these days. LOL
😀
Lovely commentary, thanks Beth!
Sweet little bird. Whew! The females have their work cut out for them.
As most females do, Lois. Human ones included!