Village Weaver (breeding male) (Ploceus cucullatus)

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Photo by Tiz

Published on Project Noah

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Field Notes

Description:

This male is busy ripping off thin pieces of reed. This is building material for his nest. In picture five you can see a lot of nests from the weaverbird (and a Grey Heron in his nest)

The Village Weaver is a stocky 15–17 cm bird with a strong conical bill and dark reddish eyes. The breeding male has a black head and the non-breeding male has a yellow head with an olive crown, grey upperparts and whitish underparts. The wings remain yellow and black.

Habitat:

Skukuza bird hide.

Notes:

The weaverbird nest consists of woven strips of fiber and grass. Using beak and feet, the male weaverbird uses both loops and knots to weave his hanging nest. Then the nest must be inspected by a prospective mate. If she doesn’t like the nest’s construction, she will turn down the hopeful mate. The male must then tear down his work and start over. Some males have been observed constructing and tearing down their nests two dozen times before finding a prospective mate who is satisfied with his work.

Reference Links:

http://sabap2.adu.org.za/docs/sabap1/811.pdf

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (14)

Ava T-B

Thanks so much Tiz! I love the brilliant building talents of these wonderful birds.

Tiz

I will add it to your mission Ava. I chose five missions already, but you are so dedicated about your theme that I am gladly contributing. Have a great day!

Ava T-B

Please consider adding this spotting to the Animal Architecture mission at http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/8082378

Tiz

Thank you so much Adarsha and Johan! :)

Adarsha B S

Well done Tina :)

Johan Heyns

Nicely captured!

Tiz

No Kel, could not cross the lake. But the bird hide was in a perfect place. Some people that was there, had lenses big as cannons, and I guess they had been sitting there for quite some time. The bird on the photo collected grass next to the bird hide, so I got the chance to snap it. Ye, they are fun Staccyh, I could watch them for a long time without getting tired of them :) Better than most action movies to be honest :P

staccyh

I love weavers! Such great pictures of these cheeky little birdies.

Sckel

Gorgeous Ave. Has mustard color. You could cross the lake? It seems that there are cool things there.

Tiz

I agree Mark, and the fact that they do so much to impress the female is even more faschinating :))

Mark Ridgway

Gorgeous bird.

Stian Waaler

South Africa is high on my list over places I want to visit ;)

Tiz

You should come visit Stian!! Thank you for your nice comment :))