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December 08, 2004
Creative birds
The Weaver Birds of Southern Africa are amazing builders and construct these nests out of woven grass. Considering the fact that the birds use only their beaks for this construction, the nests are themselves a major work of art - one which their mates, having watched the building carefully, will destroy if they are unhappy with the build quality!
A group of weaver bird nests next to the hotel swimming pool.
The birds usually build their nest near or over water, and several eggs are laid, but usually only two chicks survive to fledge. About the size of a sparrow, they are bright yellow with black streaks in the wing and tail and the males have slightly brighter plumage. A male can be seen at the entrance to the centre nest in the picture attending his mate who is inside the nest.
Posted by The Gray Monk at December 8, 2004 10:09 AM
Comments
I always find it amazing what animals can achieve without any tools at all (not counting beaks, paws and claws). Weaver birds, of course, are a class of their own. Over the years I've had a number of tame hamsters who could build the most intricate "sleeping palaces" by folding up handkerchiefs. And I never had to teach them how to do it either - they just knew!
Posted by: The Scarlet Manuka at December 8, 2004 10:34 PM