terms. Most occur naturally in, sub-Saharan Africa. Materials used for building nests include fine leaf-fibers, grass and twigs. The weaver group is divided into the buffalo, sparrow, typical, and widow weavers. [5][6] The sparrow weavers live in family units that employ cooperative breeding. The family Ploceidae was introduced (as Ploceïdes) by the Swedish zoologist Carl Jakob Sundevall in 1836. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); © 2011 beautyofbirds.com - All Rights Reserved. The birds that weave magical nests The Oldie Magazine | May 2020 We had already spent an entrancing hour birding on Tanzania’s Lake Manze – imperious, white-chested fish eagles soaring overhead; glossy, blue, wire tailed swallows flitting over the water; stately … Depending on the…. These names come from the nests of intricately woven vegetation created by birds in this family. The nests vary in size, shape, material used, and construction techniques from species to species. Hanging nest, Hargeysa, Somaliland, July 2019. Your use of this website indicates your agreement to these Usually the male birds weave the nests and use them as a form of display to lure prospective females. Many weaver species are gregarious and breed colonially. For more detail, see list of Ploceidae species. The weavers are gregarious birds which often breed colonially. Resplendent Quetzals - The Rare Jewel Birds of the World. Some species show variation in colour only in the breeding season. Weavers get their name because of their elaborately woven nests. Ploceidae is a family of small passerine birds, many of which are called weavers, weaverbirds, weaver finches and bishops.These names come from the nests of intricately woven vegetation created by birds in this family. The malesbuild their nests together, often several to a branch. Materials used for building nests include fine leaf-fibers, grass, and twigs. These are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills. The sparrow weavers, for example, build apartment-house nests, in which 100 to 300 pairs have separate flask-shaped chambers entered by tubes at the bottom. Please contact them directly with respect to any copyright or licensing questions. Fry, C.H. 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. The sparrow weavers, for example, build apartment-house nests, in which 100 to 300 pairs have separate flask-shaped chambers entered by tubes at the bottom. Usually the male birds weave the nests and use them as a form of display to lure prospective females. They are named for their elaborately woven nests (the most elaborate of any birds). Terms Of Use / Copyright Restrictions, Site Privacy Policy | Report Abuse | Website Administrator | Web Design by Drupal Development Services. Thank you. Some species show variation in color only in the breeding season. VII. The following genera are currently classified within the family Ploceidae. 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 spherical woven nests within. The weaverbird colonies may be found close to bodies of water. Avianweb / BeautyOfBirds or any of their authors / publishers assume no responsibility for the use or misuse of any of the published material. Please contact them directly with respect to any copyright or licensing questions. Usually the male birds weave the nests and use them as a form of display to lure prospective females. A few species have been introduced outside their native range.[2]. & Keith, S. (2004) The birds of Africa vol. They sometimes cause crop damage, notably the red-billed quelea, reputed to be the world's most numerous bird. The parrots that build "bird condominiums" : The, The record holder for speaking most words: the common. Most species weave nests that have narrow entrances, facing upside down. The Weavers have strong, rounded, conical bills. The family is believed to have originated in the mid-Miocene. Please Note: The articles or images on this page are the sole property of the authors or photographers. Although weavers are named for their elaborately woven nests, some are notable for their selective parasitic nesting habits instead. [2] The birds build their nests together for protection, often several to a branch. Most species weave nests that have narrow entrances, facing downward. Christopher Helm, London, "An extensive molecular phylogeny of weaverbirds (Aves: Ploceidae) unveils broad nonmonophyly of traditional genera and new relationships", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ploceidae&oldid=980613231, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 27 September 2020, at 13:35. [3][4] These species are not closely related to the sparrows (Passeridae) nor to the Emberizidae, according to Luis Allende and colleagues. Please note: Any content published on this site is commentary or opinion, and is protected under Free Speech. professional advice. Male weavers buildelaborately woven nests that vary in size, shape, material used and construction techniques from species to species. The Smallest Bird on Earth Weighs Less than a Penny! A few species exist in tropical Asia and in Australia. Usually the male birds weave the nests and use them as a form of display to lure prospective females. The Heroes that Were Pigeons: The Smart “Rescue and War” Pigeons [7], Communal Philetairus nests in central Namibia, Pseudonigrita nest in Kenya, with entrance below, Black-breasted weaver nest suspended from grass, India, A baya weaver on his unfinished nest, northern India, Nests of a baya weaver colony suspended from a palm tree, India, Male Quelea at nest concealed in thorny Senegalia shrub, Red bishop constructing a nest in reeds, South Africa, Nests of a colony of Sakalava weavers, Madagascar, Spherical village weaver nests suspended from a palm tree, West Africa, A southern masked weaver building his nest, Namibia. The Weaver Birds or Weaver Finches (Ploceidae) are small birds that are related to the finches. The family is divided into the buffalo, sparrow, typical, and widow weavers. [7] Most species weave nests that have narrow entrances, facing downward. It is only provided for educational and entertainment purposes, and is in no way intended as a substitute for The males of many species in this family are brightly coloured, usually in red or yellow and black. Within their range, they sometimes cause crop damage and are, therefore, considered agricultural pests. Most species weave nests that have narrow entrances, facing upside down. The plumage of the males is brightly colored, usually in red or yellow and black. Weaver birds typically breed in bird colonies that are typically found close to water bodies. According to a study conducted…, Throughout history, Crows, Ravens and other black birds were feared as symbols of evil or death.…, These splendidly plumaged birds are found in certain areas of Southern Mexico and Central America…, It has already been recorded that the Common Poorwills can enter extended periods of hibernation as…, Smallest Bird in Existence: Which is it: the Bee or the Bumble Bee Hummingbirds? 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