Angelin vs Compact Weaver

Andira inermis compared with Ploceus superciliosus

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Angelin	Compact Weaver
Kingdom	Plantae (Plants)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Magnoliopsida (Dicots)	Aves (Birds)
Order	Fabales (Legumes & Allies)	Passeriformes (Songbirds)
Family	Fabaceae	Ploceidae
Genus	Andira	Ploceus
Species	Andira inermis	Ploceus superciliosus

Conservation Status

Angelin

LC — Least Concern

Compact Weaver

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Angelin	Compact Weaver
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Angelin

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, flooded grasslands and savannas, and deserts and xeric shrublands, among 4 distinct biome types spanning the Afrotropic and Palearctic and Indomalayan realms. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Africa (Chad, Guinea), Asia (India, Singapore), North America (Cuba), and South America (Brazil, Colombia).

Compact Weaver

Habitat

Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments.

Angelin

The Angelin (Andira inermis) is a species in the genus Andira. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, flooded grasslands and savannas, and deserts and xeric shrublands, among 4 distinct biome types spanning the Afrotropic and Palearctic and Indom.

Compact Weaver

<em>Ploceus superciliosus</em>, the compact weaver, is a small passerine bird in the family Ploceidae found across sub-Saharan Africa, ranging from Senegal and Guinea in the west to Uganda and western Kenya in the east. Weavers of the genus Ploceus are renowned for their elaborate, intricately woven nests constructed by males as part of their breeding display, representing some of the most architecturally complex avian structures. The compact weaver inhabits forest edges, secondary growth, tall grasslands, and wooded savanna, often near water, showing preference for areas with abundant tall grass and reeds for nest attachment. It is typically found at low to medium elevations across the West and Central African forest zone. Males display distinctive yellowish-olive plumage with a chestnut-brown supercilium and dark mask, while females are more cryptically coloured. The species is primarily granivorous, feeding on grass seeds and small insects, particularly during the breeding season when protein-rich invertebrates are important for chick development. The IUCN classifies the compact weaver as Least Concern, reflecting its relatively widespread distribution and tolerance for secondary and disturbed habitats. Biological traits including average lifespan, body mass, and detailed population estimates remain poorly documented compared to more intensively studied weaver species. It is a social species typically nesting in small colonies.