Cape Weaver

Common endemic resident. Easily identified by large size, long, pointed bill and pale eye. Breeding male distinguished from female [Spectacled Weaver] by large size and black eye-line not extending behind the eye. Non-breeding male like female but yellower on underparts and with pale eye. Female distinguished from female [Southern Masked-Weaver] or [Lesser Masked-Weaver] by larger size and heavier, more sharply pointed bill. The normal sound in the vicinity of nests when breeding is a rapidly repeated swizzling ‘a-zwit, a-zwit, zweeeeee-zt-zt-zt-zt…’ similar to that of masked-weavers and [Village Weavers] but harsher. Occurs singly, in pairs or in flocks almost anywhere where there are trees, especially near water and in suburbia, where exotic trees are used for nesting.