Birds of Singapore
by the Bird Society of Singapore
Ploceus philippinus
Family: Weavers and Allies · Status: Uncommon resident · Size: 15 cm · Conservation: Least Concern
Breeds from the Indian subcontinent through Indochina, the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Java.
Breeding male has golden-yellow crown and mantle, dark brown face extending onto upper breast, and cream-coloured belly. Females and non-breeding males are drab sandy-brown with streaked upperparts, a broad buff supercilium, and faint streaking on breast sides. Male Golden-backed Weaver has all-black head and chrome-orange underparts. Female Golden-backed Weaver is brighter yellow overall with yellow-fringed coverts and a slimmer bill with dark upper mandible.
Open habitats including grassland, scrubland, and cultivated areas near water.
Mainly granivorous. Polygynous and colonial; males build retort-shaped nests with long entrance tunnels from strips of leaves.