In 2017, I was staying in Livingstone, Zambia after a trip through Northern Botswana and came across a flock of nesting Village Weaver Birds. These are a very social species but sometimes not very friendly towards other members of their group, as you will find out.
The Village Weaver Bird
This species frequently forms large noisy colonies in towns, villages and hotel grounds. It builds a large coarsely woven nest made of grass and has a downward facing entrance to prevent snakes from robbing the nest. Being a colonial breeder, many nests hang from a single tree. In the nest they lay two or three eggs. Village weavers are colonial breeders, so there are usually as many as 100 nests hanging from one tree. Village weavers feed principally on seeds and grain, and can be a crop pest, but it will readily take insects, especially when feeding young, which partially redresses the damage to agriculture. The calls of this bird include harsh buzzes and chattering.
F3.5 1/60s ISO 125 Canon 1DX,
70-200mm Lens @ 200mm
The Start of the Nest
The male bird does most of the construction of the nest and only when the female is happy with the finished nest design, will she line the nesting cup with short, thatched strips of palm, grass blades or heads, and feathers. The male bird initially gathers about three hundred long strips of leaf, which he tears off and transports one by one. He then works with his feet and starts by creating the attachment by weaving around two hanging branches. He then gradually works towards his feet creating a half-globe to form the nesting chamber. The weaving technique consists of seizing a strip near the end and doubling back the strip on itself. Next he pokes the end with a vibrating movement in between his previous work until it sticks. He weaves the strip, poking and pulling the strip through holes until the entire length is used.
F5.6 1/800s ISO 1000 Canon 1DX, 500mm Lens with 1.4 extender
The Finishing Touches
F5.6 1/640s ISO 500 Canon 1DX, 500mm Lens with 1.4 extender
The Rival
However, rival males compete to attract females and this causes birds to fight to protect their newly constructed nests.
Releasing the nest
Unfortunately, after all his hard work the looser stands by and watches the winner cut through the grass attaching the nest to the branch.
F5.6 1/800s ISO 1000 Canon 1DX, 500mm Lens with 1.4 extender
In the Water
Finally, the nest detaches and in this case lands into the water and is destroyed. The loser then has to start the whole laborious process all over again
F5.6 1/800s ISO 1000 Canon 1DX, 500mm Lens with 1.4 extender
The Victor
The Loser
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