Promoted
Southern Masked Weaver - It's a Thorny business
A Southern Masked Weaver male in full breeding plumage, clinging onto a Camel-thorn tree branch with its thorns as sharp as the bird's feathers.
However, these thorns make for perfect latches and construction points ... basically the foundation of the future nest. The male Weaver will spin grass leaves around various thorns, effectively weaving a nest from it (hence the name).
I have sat for hours watching these guys during the breeding season. At first the males will all fly away, intimidated by human presence. After about 10 minutes or so, they will return and continue with their work ... pretending that you do not exist. So great is their instinct to build nests.
The southern masked weaver or African masked weaver is a resident breeding bird species common throughout southern Africa. This weaver is very widespread and found in a wide range of habitats, including shrubland, savanna, grassland, open woodland, inland wetlands and semi-desert areas. It also occurs in suburban gardens and parks.
comments (2)
Posted 10 years ago