
Southern Masked Weaver
The southern masked weaver or African masked weaver (Ploceus velatus) is a resident breeding bird species common throughout southern Africa.
Species insights
Recorded year-round
Recorded in every month, so no month is the wrong month to look. We would rather say that than invent a best time.
Curve from 7,991 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property and not from this province. Single-month spikes are discarded as upload artefacts, and below 50 records we show no curve at all.
Gauteng and beyond
Provinces where Southern Masked Weaver is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
7,991 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Southern Masked Weaver
Stays that give back
Across the Western Cape
Southern Masked Weaver recorded here · Fynbos biome · Bontebok · Gemsbok
Gives back to Cape Leopard Trust
From R 350 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Boomslang · Bushbuck
Gives back to Cape Leopard Trust and 1 other
From R 1,950 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to Pietersfontein Conservancy
From R 1,155 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Black wildebeest · Bontebok
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 5,636 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Gemsbok · Greater kudu
Gives back to Wolwekraal Nature Reserve
From R 5,060 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Bontebok · Southern right whale
Price on request
Southern Masked Weaver recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome
From R 630 a night
Southern Masked Weaver recorded here · Fynbos biome · Southern right whale
From R 4,640 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Bontebok · Southern right whale
Price on request
Southern Masked Weaver recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,180 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Succulent Karoo biome · Black backed jackal · Honey badger
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 350 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Black backed jackal · Honey badger
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 1,500 a night
Southern Masked Weaver recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 180 a night
Southern Masked Weaver recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Spekboom
From R 230 a night
Southern Masked Weaver recorded here · Fynbos biome · Spekboom
From R 300 a night
Southern Masked Weaver recorded here · Fynbos biome · Spekboom
From R 1,460 a night
Southern Masked Weaver recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · Spekboom
From R 1,750 a night
Southern Masked Weaver recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · Spekboom
From R 1,750 a night
Southern Masked Weaver recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,990 a night
Southern Masked Weaver recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,990 a night
Southern Masked Weaver recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Spekboom
From R 320 a night
Southern Masked Weaver recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Spekboom
From R 1,600 a night
Southern Masked Weaver recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Spekboom
From R 1,520 a night
Southern Masked Weaver recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Spekboom
From R 1,320 a night
Southern right whales, sea cliffs, and Hermanus's harbour town
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Southern Masked Weaver
Hosts have recorded the Southern Masked Weaver at stays in or beside Cederberg Wilderness Area, Anysberg Nature Reserve and Gamkaberg Nature Reserve.
Best hours of the day
- The first hours after sunrise, and late afternoon. Birds call and feed most in the cool.
- Midday. Quieter, especially in summer heat.
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
Species
Ploceus velatus
Records
7,991
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Southern Masked Weaver on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Southern Masked Weaver in Western Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Southern Masked Weaver at stays in or beside Cederberg Wilderness Area, Anysberg Nature Reserve, Gamkaberg Nature Reserve, Rocherpan Nature Reserve, De Hoop Nature Reserve and Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve and other reserves. A record means a host has seen it on the property or nearby, which makes these the places to base yourself; it is never a guarantee of a sighting on any given day.
Where can you see the Southern Masked Weaver in South Africa?
The Southern Masked Weaver is most recorded in Gauteng (38% of records), Western Cape (30% of records), Mpumalanga (7% of records), based on 7,991 iNaturalist observations. 48 places to stay on Spekboom in Western Cape have recorded the Southern Masked Weaver on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Southern Masked Weaver?
The Southern Masked Weaver is recorded throughout the year, so no month is the wrong month to look for it. For the parks where hosts record it most, these are the best seasons they give. Cederberg Wilderness Area: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct; Anysberg Nature Reserve: Autumn and spring, Mar-May, Sep-Nov; Gamkaberg Nature Reserve: Autumn and spring, Mar-May, Sep-Nov; Rocherpan Nature Reserve: Winter and spring for birds and flowers, Jun-Oct. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Southern Masked Weaver?
The southern masked weaver or African masked weaver (Ploceus velatus) is a resident breeding bird species common throughout southern Africa.





























