Bird of the Year 2016

Transcription

1 Bird of the Year 2016 Sociable Weaver Lesson Plan 1 South Africa s Weavers The Bird of the Year 2016 initiative is proudly sponsored by

2 Introduction Weavers are part of the large and diverse Family Ploceidae. Sparrows, bishops and widows are also part of this Family. Weavers are among South Africa s best-known birds, with many species occuring in gardens across the country. Weavers found in South Africa: 1. Sociable Weaver BirdLife South Africa s Bird of the Year for White-browed Sparrow-Weaver 3. Thick-billed Weaver 4. Red-billed Buffalo Weaver 5. Dark-Backed Weaver 6. Cape Weaver* 7. Southern Brown-throated Weaver 8. Yellow Weaver 9. African Golden Weaver 10. Village Weaver 11. Southern Masked Weaver 12. Lesser Masked Weaver 13. Spectacled Weaver 14. Red-headed Weaver *near-endemic to South Africa. Weavers weaving Weavers get their name from their elaborately woven nests. The nests vary in size, shape, material used, and construction techniques from species to species. Materials used for building nests include leaves, grass, and twigs. Weavers use their bills to build nests. They usually use their feet to hold part of a grass blade while using the bill to thread the other end through the nest. Many species weave very fine nests using thin strands of leaves. However, Red-billed Buffalo Weavers build massive untidy stick nests in their colonies, which may have spherical woven nests within. Most species weave nests that have narrow entrances, facing downward. Habits and nesting Many weaver species are gregarious and breed colonially. The birds build their nests together for protection, often several to a branch. Usually the male birds weave the nests and use them as a form of display to lure prospective females. Weaver bird colonies are often found close to water bodies. Polygyny is the general rule among weavers, with some males having two or more mates, while some unlucky males lack mates altogether. However, some weaver species are monogamous, each pair building a single nest per breeding

3 season with the sexes sharing parental duties. Other species are co-operative, with the breeding pair helped at the nest by other birds often older offspring from previous broods. A feature of weaver colonies is the males habit of stripping off all the foliage from branches and reeds surrounding the nests. This is possibly done to make the nests more visible to passing females. s The main habitats where weavers are found are semi-arid areas, savanna, grasslands, wetlands and forests. Many weavers have adapted to living in gardens and urban areas, e.g. the Village Weaver and Southern Masked Weaver. Some weavers are adapted to living in arid and semi-arid areas, like the Sociable Weaver. Some weavers are found in forests, for example, Dark-backed Weaver. About our weavers Sociable Weaver A distinctive, sparrow-like weaver with a pale bill, black face mask and scaly back. Sexes alike. Common resident in semi-arid savanna and Karoo scrub. Gregarious, co-operative breeder in communally-thatched nests, built in a tree or on poles. The largest nest of any bird with up to 500 chambers. See Fact Sheet and Lesson 2 for more information White-browed Sparrow-Weaver A chunky, sparrow-like weaver with blackish, brown and white plumage. Sexes alike. Common resident in acacia savanna and dry woodland. Monogamous, co-operative breeder. Non-breeding helper birds aid the breeding pair to raise their chicks. They have several nests in a tree, but these all belong to the same family i.e. the breeding pair and their helpers. Most of the nests are used for roosting, one will be converted to a breeding nest during the breeding season. They are extremely aggressive to birds that don t belong in their family group, so to this extent they are solitary breeders.

4 Red-billed Buffalo Weaver A large, heavy-billed weaver. Male black with white wing panel and orange-red bill. Female is browner and slightly scaled. Common resident in dry woodland and savanna. Breeds in large, untidy stick nests which are built in a large tree or on electricity pylons. Some males are polygynous, building multiple nests to attract females, while other males form coalitions and assist with raising chicks. Thick-billed Weaver A large weaver with a massive bill. Males is brown with a white forehead and wing patches and a dark bill. Female is whitish below and heavily streaked. The bill is pale dull yellow. Common resident in rank vegetation, often near water, and in forest edges. Polygynous, although some males have only one mate. Breeds in small colonies. The male builds a neat, finely woven nest with a side entrance, attached to reeds. Dark-backed Weaver A medium-sized weaver with blackish-brown upperparts contrasting with a golden-yellow breast and belly. Sexes alike. Common resident in forest and dense woodland. Territorial and monogamous. Pairs nest solitarily. The nest is roughly woven with a long entrance tube, built by both partners, although with the presumed male doing most of the work.

5 Cape Weaver A large weaver with a relatively long pointed bill. Breeding males are yellow with a chestnut wash on the face and throat, with a whitish eye. Non-breeding plumage is dull yellow. Females and sub-adult males are olive above and dull yellow below with a brown eye. Common resident in grassland, scrub and gardens. Breeds in small colonies in reeds, on tall trees or hanging from fences. The nest is quite large and neatly woven, and often suspended from two points. Nests initially lack an entrance tube, but one may be added after a female has chosen it. Southern Brown-throated Weaver Males are bright yellow, with a distinctive chestnut bib confined to the face and throat (not extending onto the forehead as in Cape Weaver). Females, non-breeders and sub-adults are duller, but all have a diagnostic dull rusty rump. Locally common in reed beds and swamps, dispersing widely when not breeding. Breeds in small or large colonies, mostly in reeds over water. The nest is small and untidy, with no entrance tube. African Golden Weaver A large, golden weaver with a pale yellow eye. Sexes are much alike, although the female is slightly duller. Breeding dress is retained year-round. Common resident in woodland, savanna and gardens. Breeds in small, usually single-male colonies. The nest is untidy and roughly woven and lacks an entrance tube.

6 Yellow Weaver The male is a bright yellow weaver with a red eye. Females have a heavily streaked back and a brown eye. Common resident in coastal lowlands, especially in reed beds and nearby riverine vegetation. Probably polygynous, breeds in small or large colonies, mostly in reeds over water. The nest is small with no entrance tube. Village Weaver A large, heavy-billed, masked weaver with a mottled black and yellow back, yellow belly and a red eye (breeding male). The mask does not extend above the bill. Non-breeders resemble females, but retain the red eye. The females and sub-adult males are dull, mottled and greyish with a red-brown eye. Common resident in savanna and gardens, often in large flocks. Polygynous. Breeds in large colonies in tall trees and reeds. The nest is large and coarsely woven with a short entrance tube. Southern Masked Weaver A large, masked weaver with a mostly plain, greenish back, yellow belly and a red eye. The mask extends above the bill. The females and sub-adult males are duller with a buffy yellow breast, white belly and brown eye. Non-breeding adult males are similar, but retain the red eye. Common resident in savanna, grassland and gardens. Polygynous. Breeds in small colonies in trees or reeds. The nest is neatly woven with a short entrance tube.

7 Lesser Masked Weaver A small, masked weaver with a slender bill and whitish eye. The mask extends onto the top of the head. Females and sub-adult males are pale yellow below. Sub-adults are similar but have a brown eye. Common resident in savanna and woodland, usually in or near swamps and riverine vegetation. Polygynous. Breeds colonially in trees or reeds, near water. The nest is untidy with a short, but obvious entrance tube. Spectacled Weaver A bright yellow weaver with a plain, olive-green back, slender bill and black eye stripe with a white eye. Males have a black throat and a chestnut-brown wash on the face and breast. Breeding dress is retained year-round. Common resident of forest edge and gardens, usually in pairs. Monogamous. Pairs nest solitarily. The nest is neat and finely woven with a very long entrance tube. Red-headed Weaver A grey-backed weaver with yellow-edged wing feathers and a slender orange-red bill and white belly. The head and breast of the male is scarlet, and yellow in the female, non-breeding males and sub-adults. Common resident in woodland, savanna and gardens. Polygynous, but sometimes monogamous. Breeds in small colonies in trees. The nest is roughly woven from fine twigs, quite large, with a long entrance tube.