Sociable Weaver (Philetairus socius) Fact Sheet: Physical Characteristics

Body measurements from Craig 2004; Maclean 1967.

Body shape (from Craig 2004 unless otherwise noted)

• Small, finch-like (Craig and Christie 2013)
• Tail
• Short
• Legs
• Dark brown

Head & facial characteristics (from Craig 2004 unless otherwise noted)

• Cap (top of head)
• Brown
• Cheeks
• Pale
• Throat patch (bib)
• Black
• Extends from the lores (feathers at bill base) down, onto the chin and throat (Craig and Christie 2013)
• Rounded on lower margin (Craig and Christie 2013)
• Bill
• Pale blue-gray
• Darker at base
• Eyes
• Dark brown

Adult plumage (from Craig 2004 unless otherwise noted)

• Cryptically colored (Maclean 1973a)
• Breast
• Cream-colored (Craig and Christie 2013)
• Belly
• Cream colored
• Mantle (upper back)
• Dark brown to black feathers with pale edges; producing a scalloped effect
• Flanks
• Small patch of black feathers with whitish edges
• Wings
• Upper wing dull brown (Craig and Christie 2013)
• Broad pale margins on wing coverts (Craig and Christie 2013)
• Rump
• Pale, sandy-brown
• Tail
• Dull brown

Juvenile coloration (from Craig 2004)

• Lack black throat patch
• Forehead and crown
• Speckled with black
• Bill
• Pale, horn-colored
• Appear as adult after first molt
• c. 16-18 weeks

Sexes alike (Craig 2004)

• Impossible to distinguish between genders in the field (from Maclean 1967)
• Subtle differences in wing length, reported in one study

Small-bodied, sandy-brown birds. Males and females are similar in appearance, their blue-gray bills stand out against black throat bibs.

Image credit: © C Eason from Flickr. Some rights reserved.

Juveniles have bone colored bills and lack the dark throat bib seen in adults.

Image credit: © Richardson and Winch from Flickr. Some rights reserved.

Craig (2004)
Craig and Christie (2013)
Maclean (1967)
Maclean (1973a)