Fascinating Birds: The Most Skilled Nest Builder
Published by Even in birds, "Practice makes perfect." Learn and marvel how the Southern Masked weaver, considered by scientists as the most skilled nest builder, do the trick!
Nature dictates that birds built nests as temporary refuge for eggs and young chicks. Many species just simply make one to meet this need. However, there is a bird species that build their nests in a highly-designed ones. Read on and marvel how the Southern mask-weaver built nests.
Southern Masked-Weaver
The Southern Masked Weaver or African Masked Weaver (Ploceus velatus) is a species of bird that belongs to the family Ploceidae. This fascinating bird is widespread throughout southern Africa inhabiting open woodland, grassland, savannas, inland wetlands. It also frequents urban gardens as well as parks.
The Southern Masked-Weaver measures about 11-14.5 cm (4.3 – 5.7 inches) long and weighs around 37 grams. It has an orange eyes, short, conical bill, black colored throat, and pinkish brown legs. The male plumage and colors are slightly different to that of the female bird. Adult breeding males sport red eyes; bright yellow head; black face, throat and beak; and a plain yellowish-green back while adult females have brown eyes, pinkish-brown bill, brown eyes, yellowish throat, and grayish belly.
The Southern Masked Weaver is normally seen singly, or pairs, or in flocks. Just like other weavers, this fascinating bird creates harsh buzzes and chattering calls. It also makes a sharp alarm note. It forages for food on the ground, feeding mostly on insects including ants, bees, butterflies, and locusts. It also eats seeds and nectar.
The breeding season usually stretches from September through January. Males are bigamous and will have up to 5 females per breeding season. These breeding males will create a succession of nests, usually numbering 25 nests per season. The male builds its nest high up in the tree canopy or on the ground woven from figs, straw and leaves. The female will adorn the interior of a chosen nest with soft grass and feathers while the male put on the entrance tunnel.
A female bird will lay between 1-6 blue-colored eggs, which she will single-handedly incubates for about 12-14 days. Chicks will content themselves on a diet of soft insect larvae and grasshoppers. For about 16-17 days, chicks will stay on the nest and will leave afterwards.
How do a breeding male makes the nest? From grass leaves, green strips of reeds, or palm blades, he will diligently weaves a well-designed nest. On average, it will take about 9 to 14 hours to complete one. Once completed, an imposing large entrance tunnel graced a kidney-shaped structure. So creative are these birds, that the nests rest on thin branches of free-standing trees, often over water to discourage predators.
Why do the Southern Masked Weaver birds is considered the most skilled nest builder? If we hold to long-established fact that nest-building is something that birds know how to do from birth, then we would expect all birds to build their nests the same way each time. But not in the case of the Southern Masked Weaver! Based on studies done in Edinburgh, Glasgow and St Andrews Universities and has been published in the Behavioural Processes journal, scientists say that these fascinating birds use experience to build better nests. The research noted that they displayed strong variations in their nest building, showing a skill they actually ‘learn’ and get better at. Experience takes a clear role in building highly complex nests. ‘Even for birds, practice makes perfect.’
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On August 28, 2012 at 4:32 am
Well written and pics are so so beautiful.so lovely
On August 28, 2012 at 5:39 am
Excellent post.
On August 28, 2012 at 6:00 am
Amazing bird! Probably the best nest builder,.
On August 28, 2012 at 6:45 am
I love your articles for the pictorials. thanks
On August 28, 2012 at 8:05 am
That’s so nice to know…i wonder why I can no longer see your articles in my dashboard. It’s been so long since I’ve read your articles. Loved your posts!
On August 28, 2012 at 9:00 am
Thanks for sharing
On August 28, 2012 at 9:24 am
The pictures tell such a wonderful story! I wish we learn to believe in ourselves and never give up.
On August 28, 2012 at 10:18 am
again, an educational post with awesome pics, well done.
On August 28, 2012 at 6:36 pm
remarkable
On August 28, 2012 at 6:46 pm
very nice may be useful for all
On August 28, 2012 at 7:33 pm
Thank you for this.
On August 28, 2012 at 8:50 pm
So lovely. The home is small but looks comfortable.
On August 29, 2012 at 4:01 am
What an expert bird.
On August 29, 2012 at 4:14 am
tanks for posting hope i see more of this coming
On August 29, 2012 at 6:07 am
It is simply…. amazing
A very interesting topic also… Thanks for sharing, Papaleng 
On August 31, 2012 at 1:14 am
thanks for this very good piece.. nice pictures too^^
On August 31, 2012 at 7:06 am
Simply Amazing! These noisy birds are master nest-builders without a doubt! Interestingly, it is the males that do the building and usually the male with the most skillfully built nest that lands a date with females! There is nothing for nothing even in the animal kingdom my friend!
On September 1, 2012 at 3:42 am
Well written and equally matching snaps. It seems these birds have a fascination for green.
On September 1, 2012 at 3:37 pm
Amazing birds
On September 1, 2012 at 10:46 pm
I enjoyed the article and your bird pictures are so clear and amazing.
On September 2, 2012 at 7:23 pm
Lovely article.
Very well written xx Thank you very much for sharing this with us.
On September 2, 2012 at 7:46 pm
Really amazing and fun to watch. I think birds are a lot smarter than we give them credit for. Wow, thanks for sharing your work!
On September 8, 2012 at 6:08 am
great share
On October 5, 2012 at 1:58 pm
Good article to read and thanks for share
On October 7, 2012 at 3:53 pm
Yes it really is fascinating! It looks like basket-weaving and yet the bird never sat in a class to learn how to make it.