Ploceus pelzelni breeds in wetlands and also feeds in nearby trees and bushes. A breeding male has a black mask extending from the face to the throat, while the female lacks that mask.
In breeding plumage, the male's black mask runs from the forehead across the face to the throat and ends on the breast. The female has a green head and black bill but no black mask. A juvenile resembles the female, with duller plumage and a pale bill.
Breeding is restricted to wetlands, while feeding also takes place in nearby trees and bushes. The account lists insects and occasional seeds as food and notes that birds may hang upside down while foraging.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.