The Ploceinae (weavers) are a subfamily of the Passeridae. Other subfamilies are the Passerinae (sparrows and snowfinches), Motacillinae (wagtails and pipits), Prunellinae (accentors), and Estrildinae (munias, etc.) |
1. General names
Chinese: In Chinese, the weavers are generally known as 织布鸟 zhī-bù-niǎo 'weave-cloth bird', which appears to be a rather clumsy translation from English. In reaction, Zheng Guangmei's world list amends this to 织雀 zhī-què 'weaving sparrow/finch', on the eminently sensible grounds that though these birds may weave their nests, they certainly don't weave cloth! |
Japanese: Not found in Japan, except as escapees. The Japanese for 'weaver' is literally ハタオリドリ hata-ori-dori 'loom-weaving bird', written 機織り鳥 in Chinese characters, but species found in China and Vietnam are known as コウヨウジャク kōyō-jaku 'red-leaf finch/sparrow', written 紅葉雀. The word 紅葉 kōyō 'red leaves' refers to the red leaves of autumn, typically red maple leaves. |
Vietnamese: The weavers are known as Rồng rộc. Unqualified, this name refers to the Baya weaver (Ploceus philippinus). |
2. Species names
ABOUT THIS TABLE (Hover cursor to see) 
| Latin | English | Chinese (Mainland) | Chinese (Taiwan) | Other Ch | Japanese | Other J | Vietnamese | Other V |
| Ploceus intermedius | Lesser masked weaver | 黑脸织雀 hēi-liǎn zhī-què 'black-faced weaving finch/sparrow' |
メンハタオリドリ (面機織り鳥) men hata-ori-dori 'masked weaving bird' (introduced) |
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Ploceus benghalensis |
Black-breasted weaver Bengal weaver Black-throated weaver (Cheng) Black-throated weaver bird |
黑喉织雀 hēi-hóu zhī-què 'black-throated weaving finch/sparrow' 黑喉织布鸟 hēi-hóu zhī-bù-niǎo 'black-throated cloth-weaving bird' (Cheng, M&P, Atlas) |
ノドグロコウヨウジャク (喉黒紅葉雀) nodo-guro kōyō-jaku 'black-throated red-leaf sparrow/finch' |
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| Ploceus manyar/ Oloceus manyar |
Streaked weaver | 纹胸织雀 wén-xiōng zhī -què 'fine-pattern-breasted weaving finch/sparrow' 纹胸织布鸟 wén-xiōng zhī-bù-niǎo 'fine-pattern-breasted cloth-weaving bird' (M&P - see note) |
コウヨウジャク (紅葉雀) kōyō-jaku 'red-leaf sparrow/finch' |
Rồng rộc đen 'black rong roc'' |
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| Ploceus philippinus |
Baya weaver | 黄胸织雀 huáng-xiōng zhī-què 'yellow-breasted weaving finch/sparrow' 黄胸织布鸟 huáng-xiōng zhī-bù-niǎo 'yellow-breasted cloth-weaving bird' (Cheng, M&P, Viney, Atlas) |
キムネコウヨウジャク (黄胸紅葉雀) ki-mune kōyō-jaku 'yellow-breasted red-leaf sparrow/finch' |
Rồng rộc 'rong roc' |
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| Ploceus hypoxanthus |
Asian
golden weaver Asian golden-weaver |
亚洲金织雀 Yàzhōu jīn zhī -què 'Asian golden weaving finch/sparrow' |
キンイロコウヨウジャク (金色紅葉雀) kin-iro kōyō-jaku 'golden-coloured red-leaf sparrow/finch' |
Rồng rộc vàng 'golden rong roc' |
3. Notes
The distribution of the Ploceinae in East Asia can be seen at Tzung-Su Ding's Distribution of Passeridae in East Asia. |
M&P consider sightings of the Black-throated weaver (P. benghalensis) in Yunnan more likely to have been the Streaked weaver (P. manyar). |
