Spectacled Weaver
Spectacled WeaverSpectacled WeaverSpectacled WeaverSpectacled Weaver

Spectacled Weaver

Ploceus ocularis

Silhouette: Sheatherius · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck
at Masai Mara National Reserve
353 Verified sightings at Masai Mara National Reserve From 2019 to 2026
6,137 Verified sightings across all 43 parks From 2019 to 2026
November Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

About the Spectacled Weaver

The spectacled weaver (Ploceus ocularis) is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae. It is found widely in woodland, forest edge and gardens of central, eastern and south-eastern Africa, but is absent from the most arid regions (such as the Karoo) and dense, primary rainforest. This common species breeds in solitary pairs, and both sexes are bright yellow, have an olive-yellow back, black "spectacles" and pale eyes. The male has a black throat.

Craig 2010. Family Ploceidae. pp. 74–197 in: del Hoyo, Elliott and Christie, eds. 2010. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 15. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. Spectacled weaver - Species text in Weaver Watch. Spectacled weaver - Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds.

Image at ADW Wikipedia →

Closest Relatives at Masai Mara National Reserve

Village Weaver
LC

Village Weaver

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ploceus cucullatus

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible
Baglafecht Weaver
LC

Baglafecht Weaver

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ploceus baglafecht

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck
Holub's Golden-Weaver
LC

Holub's Golden-Weaver

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ploceus xanthops

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Speke's Weaver
LC

Speke's Weaver

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ploceus spekei

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Lesser Masked-Weaver
LC

Lesser Masked-Weaver

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ploceus intermedius

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Vitelline Masked-Weaver
LC

Vitelline Masked-Weaver

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ploceus vitellinus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Little Weaver
LC

Little Weaver

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ploceus luteolus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Black-necked Weaver
LC

Black-necked Weaver

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ploceus nigricollis

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
Black-billed Weaver
LC

Black-billed Weaver

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ploceus melanogaster

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data
Yellow-rumped Widowbird
LC

Yellow-rumped Widowbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Euplectes capensis

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck
Yellow-shouldered Widowbird
LC

Yellow-shouldered Widowbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Euplectes macroura

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck
Speckle-fronted Weaver
LC

Speckle-fronted Weaver

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sporopipes frontalis

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Gonarezhou National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
~30%
2 iSimangaliso Wetland Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~30%
3 Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~20%
4 Kruger National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~20%
5 Nairobi National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
~20%
6 Aberdare National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
~20%
7 Lake Mburo National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
~20%
8 Arusha National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
~20%
9 Selous Game Reserve 🇹🇿 Tanzania
~10%
10 Addo Elephant National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~10%
11 Gorongosa National Park 🇲🇿 Mozambique
~10%
12 Liwonde National Park 🇲🇼 Malawi
~10%
13 Mana Pools National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
~10%
14 Queen Elizabeth National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
~10%
15 Kibale National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
~10%
16 Masai Mara National Reserve 🇰🇪 Kenya
~10%
17 Lower Zambezi National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
~10%
18 Murchison Falls National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
~10%
19 South Luangwa National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
~10%
20 Mikumi National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
~10%
21 Kafue National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
~10%
22 Ruaha National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
~10%
23 Ngorongoro Conservation Area 🇹🇿 Tanzania
~10%
24 Lake Manyara National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
~10%
25 Lake Nakuru National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
~10%
26 Volcanoes National Park 🇷🇼 Rwanda
~10%
27 Akagera National Park 🇷🇼 Rwanda
~10%
28 Virunga National Park 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo
~10%
29 Mkomazi National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
~10%
30 Serengeti National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
~10%
31 Chobe National Park 🇧🇼 Botswana
<5%
32 Tsavo West National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
<5%
33 Tsavo East National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
<5%
34 Nyungwe National Park 🇷🇼 Rwanda
<5%
35 Amboseli National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
<5%
36 Semuliki National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
37 Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
<5%
38 Tarangire National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
<5%
39 Moremi Game Reserve 🇧🇼 Botswana
<5%
40 Hwange National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
Insufficient data
41 Bale Mountains National Park 🇪🇹 Ethiopia
Insufficient data
42 Kidepo Valley National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
Insufficient data
43 Garden Route National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Spectacled Weaver in Masai Mara National Reserve?

About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Spectacled Weaver sighting in Masai Mara National Reserve, based on 353 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Spectacled Weaver in Masai Mara National Reserve?

November has the highest sighting rate for Spectacled Weaver in Masai Mara National Reserve in our monthly data.

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