Protected from the intense heat of the day and sometimes brisk night-time temperatures, sociable weavers can raise their young and ride out extreme weather in relative comfort, all the time safe in the knowledge that they are surrounded by members of their own species. The vast majority of Weaver species live in Africa, though a few species also live in Asia. Tha majority of species build individual love nests, but others, such as the sparrow weavers of Africa, will weave aggregate nests in communities with hundreds of other weaver bird pairs. There are so many different species of Weavers, with a number of different behaviors, adaptations, and traits. When the weavers are foraging for food, they may also join the flocks of multiple other bird species to assist with foraging Instead of doing the work repeatedly, or sometimes using complicated scripts, this plug-in reconstructs the shape, subdivides any mesh, even made by polylines, and helps preparing for fabrication. Learn more about a few different species, and what makes them unique, below. They are particularly well-known for their roofed nests, which in some African species form complex, hanging woven chambers. Vultures are amazing birds, but they are often misunderstood. The Weaver Birds or Weaver Finches (Ploceidae) are small birds that are related to the finches. Insectivorous species eat a wide variety of invertebrates, like grasshoppers, locusts, spiders, flies, mosquitoes, and more. In Africa, they range from the southern edge of the Sahara Desert to the southern tip of the continent. The red-billed quelea is the world's most abundant wild bird, with some estimates numbering them in the billions. The Grey Loerie bird (Corythaixoides concolor) is a South African bird which ranges from the tropical west and Central Africa. Perhaps even as high as 10 billion! Photo credit: George Lamson. Of these 90, all occur in Africa bar 5 Asian and 2 Malagasy weavers. The baya weaver (Ploceus philippinus) is a weaverbird found across the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Not all of these are true weavers as we will discuss below. A weaver bird has a strong, conical beak, which it uses to cut blades of grass that it will use in nest-building. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Animals.NET aim to promote interest in nature and animals among children, as well as raise their awareness in conservation and environmental protection. The ratio of their diet depends on the species. In most recent classifications, Ploceidae is a clade, which excludes some birds that have historically been placed in the family, such as some of the sparrows, but which includes the monotypic subfamily Amblyospizinae. Usually found spread throughout the branches of certain trees, sociable weavers have also been known to take advantage of telegraph poles and other tall, man-made structures. Please leave a Comment. Social species sometimes reproduce in large colonies. Others prefer living in dense rainforests high in the mountains. Some live on the dry savannas and grasslands of Africa. Weaver birds are the only birds recorded with the ability to tie knots. People try to discourage the birds with scarecrows, fireworks, noisemaking devices, to varying effectiveness. Some of these nests are the largest structures built by birds. For some species, seeds make up the vast majority of the diet. A typical nest built by the baya weaver (Ploceus philippinus), which is abundant from Pakistan to Sumatra, starts from a branch as a solidly woven rope. The weaver bird can tie real knots in nest material with its beak and its feet. Some do quite well, especially in large aviaries. Like Like. Many species of these birds suspend or hang their nests off of branches in a basket or orb shape. Read on to learn about the Weaver. They are known to glean paddy and other grain in harvested fields, and occassionally damage ripening crops and are therefore sometimes considered as pests. One thought on “ Interesting Things – The Weaver Bird ” sarah says: January 26, 2012 at 5:22 pm I was just wondering what kind of bird food do these birds eat? Weaver bird nest [namibia_2092] Southern Masked-Weaver (Ploceus velatus) Yellow weaver bird. Flocks of these birds are found in grasslands, cultivated areas, scrub and secondary growth and they are best known for their hanging retort shaped nests woven from leaves. They do this based on the location, design and relative comfort of the nest which ensures the good genetic quality for the father of her offspring alongside a safe home for her eggs. Kingdom: Animalia Learning just how unique these birds are can help you better appreciate their place in the world’s avifauna and how important their ongoing conservation is. True weavers build durable nests with elaborate weaving and knotting grass and reed blades. Their plumage, or feathers, comes in a wide range of colors, including white, black, red, yellow, brown, tan, orange, and everything in between. Its nest is outstanding in many ways; First of all, the weaving itself is very artistic. Some birds build single nests; others erect entire apartment complexes. They are wide… Overall, large aviaries with a variety of trees, bushes, and shrubbery provide the birds with lots of space for exercise and exploration. 11 Fascinating Facts About Beavers. They are commonly known for their construction of elaborate nests. Diet changes from one species to another, but is usually omnivorous in nature. Beavers' ability to shape their environment is beyond … They are easy to spot because they look like a pile of hay stuck on otherwise empty trees or on utility poles. Sociable weaver bird nest in Namibia, Africa. Flock size ranges from a single pair to millions of birds. Some of their primary plant food sources include weed seeds, grains, nuts, nectar from flowers, and more. Weaver, also called weaverbird, any of a number of small finchlike birds of the Old World, or any of several related birds that are noted for their nest-building techniques using grass stems and other plant fibres. Flocks of these birds are found in grasslands, cultivated areas, scrub and secondary growth and they are best known for their hanging retort shaped nests woven from leaves. The Story of Weaver Birds at Galaxy At the beginning of this year, we have seen these birds in our school and how they are a part of the galaxy family. Humans and Weavers interact in different ways based on the species. The birds chirp and chatter continually but rarely sing. Different Weaver species inhabit different types of ecosystems. The African Golden-weaver (Ploceus subaureus) is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family. Sociable weaver Facts Sociable weaver is a type of bird that belongs to the family of sparrows. Cancel reply. Their blunt, conical bills allow them to easily feast on seeds and grain, with some weaver birds, such as the red-billed quelea featured below, proving a massive problem for crop farmers. Many species are small, stout, and finch-like, but each is different from the next. Order: Passeriformes. These little birds take grasses, reeds, and other vegetation, and carefully weave them together to form their intricate nests. Some species live across a wide expanse, while others live only in a small region. At its peak, the populations stand at about 1.5 billion birds! Their daily behavior, and social behavior both vary based on the species at hand. Baya Weavers are social and gregarious birds. Weaver birds use a variety of plant materials to build their nests; including strips of grass, leaves, twigs and roots. Ploceidae is a family of small passerine birds, many of which are called weavers, weaverbirds, weaver finches and bishops. The IOC world birdlist recognizes 90 species that bear the name “weaver” or “malimbe”. They are named for their elaborately woven nests (the most elaborate of any birds). Found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, except the forests and the southern tip, they can congregate in vast swarms that can clear swathes of crops, proving to be a massively destructive pest. Male Vieillot's black weaver (Ploceus nigerrimus) working on his nest . Cool Facts About The Red Headed Weaver. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category. Some nests even have a long tube, extending the entrance further beneath the nest body. However, despite this "safety in numbers" it has been found that nest raiding can be quite high with up to 80% of young not making it to adulthood. Birds like to eat insects, seeds, plants, and sometimes even small animals. Flocks fly in close formations, often performing complicated manouvres. Some of these nests are the largest structures to be built by birds. In other species, insects make up a more significant percentage. Most individual nests are cylindrical in shape, with downward-facing, narrow entrances that are usually situated over or next to water. Different species of Weavers fare differently in zoos and in human care. Bird Facts for Kids. The weaver group is divided into the buffalo, sparrow, typical, and widow weavers. Their social behavior varies drastically, and some species are completely unknown to us. Most are primarily herbivorous, and eat mostly seeds, but they also eat insects and invertebrates. All species build domed nests, sometimes with long entrance tunnels. They are encouraging. These nest colonies are usually found on thorny trees or palm fronds and the nests are often built near water or hanging over water where predators cannot reach easily. There are many species that zoos have never kept, or that scientists have even thoroughly researched in any way. The bird can tie real knots in nest material with its beak and its feet. Weavers vary drastically in color, shape, and size, and within the family, researchers recognize over a hundred different species! No, Weavers usually do not make good pets. Unfortunately, locals call this bird the “feathered locust,” because a single flock can decimate an entire farm of crops. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. Ensuring that the entrance faces downwards and is as narrow as possible deters thieves and potential predators. There are 4 subspecies of sociable weavers that can be found in the South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia. It has black and yellow feathers, and is a member of the "Cuckoo' family. The African Golden-Weaver is classified as Least Concern. This collection of photos ofweaver birds is part of Mongabay's library of 150,000 plus images. Some flocks of red-billed quelea are so massive they can take 5 hours to pass. Weaver birds are a group of several families of small passerine birds that are related to the finches. The Weaver comprises a group of birds that make up the Ploceidae family. Like most songbirds, Weavers are typically diurnal and active during the day. weaverbird Any of several species of short-billed, often yellow-and-black, finch-like birds that weave complex nests from grass and leaves. Breeding behavior is also highly variable with these birds. It then broadens into a globular chamber and ends in one or more tubes through which the birds enter. The Ploceidae weaver finches are the most common, with 64 individual species. Social flocks usually forage together, sometimes in a large group and sometimes in smaller flocks. This might not be quite so impressive if they lived in a wider range, but these birds only live in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Grey Loerie bird is a medium sized bird that is also known as the ‘Go Away Bird’ or in […] Flocks easily number in the millions, and they can eat hundreds of thousands of pounds of grains or seeds in a day. Some of the different habitats that these birds live in include grasslands, meadows, forests, rainforests, wetlands, swamps, mangroves, and riparian areas on the edges of streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds. The Baya Weaver (Ploceus philippinus) is a weaverbird found across South and Southeast Asia. Most individual nests are cylindrical in shape, with downward-facing, narrow entrances that are usually situated over or next to water. Class: Aves Researchers estimate that one Weaver species, the Red-Billed Quelea, is the most numerous wild bird species in the world. Weaverbird is a topological modeler that contains many of the known subdivision and transformation operators, readily usable by designers. Sociable weaver nests are the largest structures built by birds. Sadly we have very few pure breeds of either type, in fact; I feel we should call the hybrids we have as Foudier Australis, as we have enough to create a new species.The hybrid came about possibly by ignorance, mating a coloured Madagascar cock bird … Narrated by David Attenborough, watch these weaverbirds, or Ploceidae, design and build intricate nests to woo mates.They start with a simple knot, and then it’s all about their experience, creativity, and fluttering wings. It is found in Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Swaziland, and Tanzania. How many of these vulture bird facts do you know? Ensuring that the entrance faces downwards and is as narrow as possible deters thieves and potential predators. They forage in flocks for seeds, both on the plants and on the ground. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Having selected a good location for his nest, the weaver bird starts to loop and weave strands of grass or strips of leaves around the ends of one or two branches in a tree. Social weaver, any of a number of small African birds of the family Ploceidae (order Passeriformes) that are extremely gregarious.This name is given particularly to Philetairus socius, which makes an “apartment house” in a tree: dozens of pairs of these little black-chinned birds cooperate year-round to maintain a thatchlike roof over the colony, which may contain 300 … However, hidden underneath are small holes. Their name comes from the unique way that they build their nests. For other species, humans are the major danger. The nest of a weaver bird often has a narrow tube-like entrance that opens upside down. Some only inhabit a few types of ecosystems, while others live in a wide variety of habitats. Humans have not domesticated Weavers in any way. The Story of Weaver Birds at Galaxy At the beginning of this year, we have seen these birds in our school and how they are a part of the galaxy family. Sociable weaver inhabits Kalahari Desert and arid savannas covered with stiff grasses and broad-leaved trees. The Madagascar Weaver and its close relative the Comoro Weaver originally came from the island off the coast of Africa. Their plumage, or feathers, comes in a wide range of colors, including white, black, red, yellow, brown, tan, orange, and everything in between. As a group, Weavers build complex nests by weaving plant fibers together. Weavers are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills, most of which breed in sub-Saharan Africa, with fewer species in tropical Asia and also in Australia. By tying knots, the bird makes the nest more secure. Many species are small, stout, and finch-like, but each is different from the next. The family is believed to have originat… Having created a looped basis for the nest body, the weaver bird then builds the hollow body before adding the tubular entrance last. Some species, like the Red-Billed Quelea discussed above, impact humans in a negative fashion. It is actually a … Weaver diet varies from species to species. However, some species actually benefit from human interaction by utilizing manmade structures and areas for nesting and foraging. From the top, the nest appears to have a heavy blanket of straws with no holes for entrance. Weaver birds build exquisite and elaborate nest structures that are a rival to any human feat of engineering. April 7, 2015. iStock. A weaver bird checks on chicks in the nest, Camp Okavango, Botswana. Many species inhabit the tropical regions of Africa, though they live throughout the continent. Some have solid colorations with just a single color, while others feature mottled plumage, or different colors on different parts of their bodies. Catch the second series of David Attenborough's Natural Curiosities on Eden! Male weavers tend to be the nest builders. Most weaver finches can be found in Sub-Saharan Africa, with five Asian and two Madagascan species. Regardless of the species, the greatest threat to most populations is habitat destruction. Some extreme methods of control include the burning of roosting colonies with napalm. Birds have hollow bones that help them to fly. Madagascar Weaver:. Weaver Birds Facts and Photos Electric Eel Facts and Photos Gorilla Facts and Photos In Photos: Earthflight Africa: Earthflight in Photos Fly over Africa on the back of a vulture and see the African continent with fresh eyes. Weavers are truly magical birds, combining bright plumages with ingenious weaving talents and cheerful, noisy social lives. Yellow weavers at breakfast. Weavers vary drastically in color, shape, and size, and within the family, researchers recognize over a hundred different species! BY Hannah Keyser. Some nests contain a single woven basket, while others have multiple chambers and passages. Though each species is different, all of them are wild birds. The weaverbirds are gregarious insect-eaters of hot, dry areas. The number of eggs laid is based on the species, as is the incubation period and the fledging rate. For social species, living in flocks is entirely necessary. The sociable weaver of southern Africa builds the largest communal nests of any bird species; the biggest structures house over a hundred breeding pairs, and provide refuge (after breeding season) for finches, lovebirds and falcons. A weaverbird is a small bird belonging to the family Ploceidae. Some species forage on the ground, others search for food in bushes and trees. The males are the main weavers, leaving the females with the responsibility of selecting their breeding-partner. Weaver bird nests are extraordinary structures. White-headed Buffalo Weaver. The weaver group is divided into the buffalo-weavers, sparrow-weavers and typical weavers.The males of many species are brightly coloured, usually in red or yellow and black, some species show variation in colour only … The nests resemble a a pile of hay in the tree with entrance holes placed underneath in order to deter nest invaders. Sociable weaver birds build huge nests on trees and telephone poles. A weaver bird has a strong, conical beak, which it uses to cut blades of grass that it will use in nest-building. The smallest bird egg in the world belongs to the hummingbird. Some nests even have a long tube, extending the entrance further beneath the nest body. The nests provide a more consistent environment for sociable weavers who inhabit an area whose climate can see a fluctuation of extremes. Weaver bird nests are extraordinary structures. The "Weaver bird" lives in the hot areas of Africa, near the Equator. The sociable weaver of southern Africa builds large, permanent nests for a community of birds, usually found around areas where the stiff, dry grass they use as a building material can be found. They have been around for millions of years. In some areas, or for some species, owning one as a pet is illegal. All photos used are royalty-free, and credits are included in the Alt tag of each image. These names come from the nests of intricately woven vegetation created by birds in this family. There are around 10,000 species of birds all over the world. Phylum: Chordata Some have solid colorations with just a single color, while … Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Having selected a good location for his nest, the weaver bird starts to loop and weave stra… This blogpost will introduce you to the … Most weaver birds are yellow, but there are also red, brown or black varieties. They are mainly tropical, Old World species noted for their nest building abilities. The African Ploceus cucullatus knots strands of … The Red Headed Weaver is a member of the weaver family, which are small, finch like birds that are known for building intricate nests; These birds tend to live and breed within flocks. Each species has its own distribution. Not Exactly Rocket Science - Weaver Birds. Reply. It is a common resident to Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, northern Botswana, western Mozambique and northern South Africa.