weaverbird

[ wee-ver-burd ]

noun

1. any of numerous African and Asian finchlike birds of the family Ploceidae, noted for their elaborately woven nests and colonial habits.

weaverbird

/ ˈwiːvəˌbɜːd /

noun

1. any small Old World passerine songbird of the chiefly African family Ploceidae, having a short thick bill and a dull plumage and building covered nests: includes the house sparrow and whydahs
2. Also calledweaver finch any similar bird of the family Estrilidae, of warm regions of the Old World: includes the waxbills, grassfinches, and Java sparrow

Word History and Origins

Origin of weaverbird¹

First recorded in 1820–30; weaver + bird