Asian Golden Weaver Ploceus hypoxanthus

Male

Female

Distribution. There are two subspecies of the Asian Golden Weaver, with disjunct distributions (see map above, based on Handbook of the Birds of the World, Vol. 15:
P. h. hypoxanthus, found in Indonesia: eastern Sumatra and western Java (see red on map).
P. h. hymenaicus, found in Myanmar (including Tenasserim), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and southern Vietnam (see blue on map). This subspecies has the feathers of the mantle fringed with a more greenish yellow, and has the upper breast more strongly suffused with raw sienna.

The Asian Golden Weaver was formerly more widespread in Sumatra and Java, but is now localized and uncommon. Its population is showing a continued decline throughout its range as wetlands are converted to agriculture. There is also direct persecution and capture of these weavers for the bird trade, and colonies are often robbed and destroyed by people. The oldest bird is 11 years (see here).

Habitat. The natural habitats of the Asian Golden Weaver are subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, swamps, and arable land.

Food. The Asian Golden Weaver feeds mainly on seeds, and even during breeding insects were only 7% of their diet.

Breeding. The Asian Golden Weaver is apparently monogamous, and perhaps occasionally polygynous. It breeds in small colonies. The nest is initially built by the male, and completed with assistance of the female. The nest is a rounded structure with a side entrance, and woven from thin strips of grass or palm leaves. Nests are firmly attached to vegetation over water or very swampy ground, often less than 1m above the surface, usually in reeds or bulrushes. Sometimes nests are placed in trees or shrubs, and then higher than 2 m above the ground. There are several records of nests built close to hornet nests or near biting ants.

The clutch is 2 eggs, rarely 3. Incubation seems to be by the female only. Chicks are fed mainly by female (most often by regurgitation), and rarely by the male. There is no information on incubation and nestling periods.

Breeding season
Jul in Myanmar, Jul-Sept in Thailand, Aug in Laos and Jan-Jun in Java

Nest site
strongly attached to vegetation over water or very swampy ground, often less than 1 m above surface, usually in reeds or bulrushes (Typha), less commonly in tree or shrub and then higher than 2 m above ground

Nest building
built initially by male, completed with assistance of female

Colony size
small colonies

Clutch size
2 eggs, rarely 3

Egg colour
greyish-white, sometimes with a few spots

Egg size
average size of eleven eggs 18 x 13.5 mm (Java)

Incubation
incubation apparently by female only

Chicks and nestling period
chicks fed primarily by female (most often by regurgitation), only occasionally by male