The Southern Masked Weaver - Hardworking Artisan!
Category Gardening
The southern masked weaver nests in colonies, mainly from September to January. Males have several female partners, and build a succession of nests, typically 25 each season. It is Africa’s most widespread weaver.
Weaver birds have a reputation for being incredible hardworking and sociable birds. Weavers are also very important creatures ecologically as their nests are homes for birds that are unable make their own nests.
LOOKS LIKE...
The southern masked weaver is 11-14.5 cm long with a short, strong, conical bill and pinkish brown legs. The adult male has spectacular breeding plumage of a black face, throat and beak, red eye, on bright yellow head and underparts, and a plain yellowish-green back,
The female has a pinkish-brown bill, brown or red-brown eye and is dull greenish-yellow, streaked darker on the upper back. The throat is yellowish, fading to off-white on the belly. The non-breeding male resembles the female but retains the red eye. The juvenile of this species is like the female.
SOUNDS LIKE...
The call is a harsh swizzling, similar to other weavers. It also utters a sharp chuk alarm note.
NESTS...
The nests, like those of other weavers, are woven from reed, palm or grass (having these in your garden will already attract them, though they may be quite destructive!). A female will line the selected nest with soft grass and feathers. The nest is built in a tree, often over water or in reeds, but sometimes in suburbia. Southern masked weavers are true artisans, creating distinct dome nests that hang suspended in trees. To build such an abode, the male selects a suitable branch, strips it of any leaves, then knots a long, thin blade of grass around it - no easy task when using just your beak and feet.
From this he weaves a sturdy hoop, continuing to thread, knot and plait until his construction resembles a neat oval dome. The whole process takes about five days, and the more experienced the weaver, the more intricate and attractive the results.
When he is finished, the male advertises the residence to potential mates with fluttering wings and song, but females are picky and select only the freshest, finest abodes. Indeed a male may have to build several before a partner is satisfied enough to move in, lining the nest herself (like a real wife!) before laying her eggs.
EGGS...
The southern masked weaver is a feat of biology, laying eggs of a various colour and this helps it to evade parasitisation by cuckoos because the cuckoo has no way of knowing what kind of eggs are inside the weaver's nest until it has entered the nest to attempt to lay one itself. Eggs of the wrong colouration are ejected by the nest owners.
EATS...
The southern masked weaver is usually seen singly or in small groups. It may also form larger flocks, alone or with other seed eating species. It eats insects, seeds and nectar, and will come to feeding tables.
THE GARDENS THEY LIKE…
Like any true security conscious South African weavers are always trying to beef up security by building nests in Vachellias growing over water. Gardens with a large body of water or fishponds should plant Vachellia species close by to emulate nature. A veld garden is also vital for nest material as the weavers pluck the grass for their nests. Weavers also strip palm leaves for their nests so plant a couple of those in the garden too.
ATTRACT THEM...
Offer them wild bird seed as most of our gardens are far too small to plant large patches of seeding grass. The pleasure we get from their antics and flamboyant breeding plumage by feeding them is worth it. When you go on holiday, the birds just go next door or down the road to another feeding station.
Water for drinking and bathing is another facet of bird garden planning. Birdbaths come in all shapes and sizes, from the store-bought conventional ones to a genuine grindstone or simply the round shallow dishes one buys to stand a pot in. Don’t have just one bath as you’ll find there’s segregation when bathing: one set of birds will use one spot, while others prefer another. It’s important the water in the bath is shallow; always remember that birds have short legs and don’t want to flounder out of their depth.
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Author: Georgina Roberts
