Weaver Birds of East Africa

Weaver birds, also known as weaver finches, get their name because of their elaborately woven nests (the most elaborate of any birds'), though some are notable for their selective parasitic nesting habits. The nests vary in size, shape, material used, and construction techniques from species to species. Materials used for building nests include fine leaf-fibers, grass, and twigs. Many species weave very fine nests using thin strands of leaf fiber, though some, like the buffalo-weavers, form massive untidy stick nests in their colonies, which may have several spherical woven nests within. The sparrow weavers of Africa build apartment-house nests, in which 100 to 300 pairs have separate flask-shaped chambers entered by tubes at the bottom. Most species weave nests that have narrow entrances, facing downward.

In East Africa, for instance, the many species of weaver birds live in tree colonies. Some nests look like large communal apartments, others like individual baskets. It even seems that male weavers compete, in effect, in the building of nests.

The male weavers tear strips from palm fronds, at least 500 of them, and entwine them into a structure with a roof, sides and a floor. The female weavers, meanwhile, stand around and watch. When the males are finished, they strut and preen, drawing attention. The females then shop around, selecting the nests that please them. They will even test to see if a nest is strong enough by pulling it and tugging at it. Some nests don't make it....After the females have made their selections, they decorate the insides of the nests, using plant down, as they choose. The males then fly off to build new nests for new partners. In their world .... love my apartment/love me applies.

Weaver birds are the architects of the bird world. Designs and neatness of construction vary widely among the different species of weaver birds. Some are simple and scruffy, with a small tube and roundish nests. Other species build much more elaborate nests, with the strands of grass carefully interwoven to form a well-defined structure. The main part is a hollow sphere, lined with nesting material, accessed through a long tube which has a small entrance hole. The nests are usually tough and well-secured so a high wind will not blow them down. The best weaver birds have the ability to tie dozens of different shaped knots and loops for which they use their feet as well as beaks.

Among most weavers, the male takes sole responsibility for initial building of the nest. The nest is built before the male gets a partner, so he uses his "love-nest" to entice a female, who is likely to be very fastidious. If his efforts fail and the disinterested female flies off, the male will try again.

A week without success and he petulantly dismantles the entire edifice and begins again in the same spot, in the hope of better luck.

So Zac asks the question in the video below "is this the male weaving the nest or the female dismantling?" ..... good question!