The vitelline masked weaver (Ploceus vitellinus) is named from the Latin vitellus, egg-yolk - referring to the bird's colour. The Vitelline Masked Weaver was first described by German physician and explorer Martin Lichtenstein, a director of the Berlin Zoological Museum from 1813. the Vitelline masked weaver is distinguished from the lesser masked weaver by having the face and throat black and not extending behind the eye, the spotted back weaver has a full black or yellow crown. It is a common weaver from West to East Africa.
