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Sociable Weaver
Afrikaans name: Versamelvoël
Photo © wolfavni - Fotolia.com
Philetairus socius
The Sociable Weaver is found in the drier regions of South Africa. They are also found in Botswana and Namibia.
The enormous nests of the Sociable Weaver are their claim to fame. These nests are actually made by colonies of birds and are re-used. They are found in trees as well as man-made structures.
Unlike many of the Weavers this one eats insects more than seeds and other plant material. The diet of insects helps give them a supply of water in the arid environment that they call home.
The nests of the Sociable Weaver are often visited by snakes, particularly Cape Cobras. The snakes eat both eggs and chicks. Despite the high level of predation by snakes it is believed that the population of the Sociable Weaver is increasing as pylons have provided new nest sites for them.
References and further reading
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 23Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 77
Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 413
Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 709
Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 707
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 416
Wild Issue 42 - Author: - Year Published: 2018 - Page: 56