The Speckle-fronted Weaver is found in the dry savanna belt from West Africa across to Eritrea and south to Tanzania. This species is monogamous and forms small colonies or has single nests. The nest is a large, untidy ball of dry grass with a long side entrance tunnel. Nest sites are mainly Ziziphus shrubs, or acacia trees. When not breeding, the birds are usually gregarious and roost in groups in old nests.

Ann Harris submitted the first PHOWN record for this species from Grumeti Reserve (next to the Serengeti).

Photo (right): Speckle-fronted Weaver nest, from Ann's record phown 3816, which also has photos of the attractive birds.