Immature Village Weaver
I was always fascinated with village weavers when I was young. They make their nests in trees right by the way side amongst all the hawkers and village street activities. They never seem to care about how close they were to humans. The chattering and the other noises always made me wonder how the people went about their business and never seem to care. This juvenile was very happy to pose for me on several occasions whereas the adults were a little shy. Taken on my recent tour to Ghana.
FACTS
Village weavers (Ploceus cucullatus) are among the most skilled builders in the bird world, best known for their extraordinary woven nests. Using only their beaks and feet, they weave long strips of grass into tightly knotted, hanging structures without any mud, glue, or adhesive. Each nest is created leaf by leaf, often completed in just a few days. During breeding season, a single male may build multiple nests at the same time to increase his chances of attracting a mate.
These nests play a key role in courtship. Female village weavers carefully inspect a male’s workmanship before choosing him. If she approves, she accepts both the nest and the builder; if not, she may tear the nest apart, even while the male is still present. To show off their skills, males wear bright yellow-and-black breeding plumage and often hang upside down from their nests, calling loudly to draw attention.
Village weaver nests are cleverly designed for protection. They are usually suspended over water or placed at the tips of thorny branches and feature a downward-facing entrance tunnel that helps prevent snakes and other predators from reaching the eggs and chicks. Despite being made entirely of grass, the tightly layered weaving shields rain effectively, keeping the interior dry even during heavy tropical showers.
These birds nest in large, noisy colonies, sometimes with hundreds of nests hanging from a single tree, creating a dramatic chandelier-like appearance. The constant movement, calling, and repair work make colonies lively and loud. Most nests are used for only one breeding season and then abandoned, which helps reduce parasites.
Nest-building skill improves with experience: young males often produce loose or misshapen nests, while older males craft tighter, more symmetrical structures. In many parts of Africa, village weaver nests are admired as symbols of patience, craftsmanship, and community—and they continue to fascinate observers as some of nature’s most impressive examples of animal architecture.
Immature Village Weaver
I was always fascinated with village weavers when I was young. They make their nests in trees right by the way side amongst all the hawkers and village street activities. They never seem to care about how close they were to humans. The chattering and the other noises always made me wonder how the people went about their business and never seem to care. This juvenile was very happy to pose for me on several occasions whereas the adults were a little shy. Taken on my recent tour to Ghana.
FACTS
Village weavers (Ploceus cucullatus) are among the most skilled builders in the bird world, best known for their extraordinary woven nests. Using only their beaks and feet, they weave long strips of grass into tightly knotted, hanging structures without any mud, glue, or adhesive. Each nest is created leaf by leaf, often completed in just a few days. During breeding season, a single male may build multiple nests at the same time to increase his chances of attracting a mate.
These nests play a key role in courtship. Female village weavers carefully inspect a male’s workmanship before choosing him. If she approves, she accepts both the nest and the builder; if not, she may tear the nest apart, even while the male is still present. To show off their skills, males wear bright yellow-and-black breeding plumage and often hang upside down from their nests, calling loudly to draw attention.
Village weaver nests are cleverly designed for protection. They are usually suspended over water or placed at the tips of thorny branches and feature a downward-facing entrance tunnel that helps prevent snakes and other predators from reaching the eggs and chicks. Despite being made entirely of grass, the tightly layered weaving shields rain effectively, keeping the interior dry even during heavy tropical showers.
These birds nest in large, noisy colonies, sometimes with hundreds of nests hanging from a single tree, creating a dramatic chandelier-like appearance. The constant movement, calling, and repair work make colonies lively and loud. Most nests are used for only one breeding season and then abandoned, which helps reduce parasites.
Nest-building skill improves with experience: young males often produce loose or misshapen nests, while older males craft tighter, more symmetrical structures. In many parts of Africa, village weaver nests are admired as symbols of patience, craftsmanship, and community—and they continue to fascinate observers as some of nature’s most impressive examples of animal architecture.