black buffalo weaver

bird

Also known as: Bubalornis albirostris, oxbird

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June 22, 2026

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The black buffalo weaver (Bubalornis albirostris) is an African bird belonging to the subfamily Bubalornithinae within the Ploceidae family. These birds are stout-bodied with heavy bills, measuring 20–25 cm (8–10 inches) long. They are primarily black with white in their wings. During the breeding season, the male's bill turns whitish and swells at the base.1

Buffalo weavers inhabit dry regions and forage on the ground in noisy flocks, often following buffalo herds. They build nests from thorny twigs, with each nest containing compartments for multiple pairs, and several nests may share a single tree. The term "weaver" also broadly refers to small finchlike birds known for their intricate nest-building using plant fibers.12

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buffalo weaver
…more widespread species is the black buffalo weaver, or oxbird (Bubalornis albirostris); it is black, with white in the wings. The white-headed buffalo weaver (Dinemellia dinemelli), confined to eastern Africa, is brown and white, with red rump and vent. Both are stout-bodied, heavy-billed birds 20–25 cm (8–10 inches) long. In…
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…more widespread species is the black buffalo weaver, or oxbird (Bubalornis albirostris); it is black, with white in the wings. The white-headed buffalo weaver (Dinemellia dinemelli), confined to eastern Africa, is brown and white, with red rump and vent. Both are stout-bodied, heavy-billed birds 20–25 cm (8–10 inches) long. In…
Read More