Lesser Masked Weaver (male)

Description:

This male at the first picture was about to start the building construction. The nests are woven from grass into round globes with an entrance hole at the bottom (can be seen in the background of the second picture). The male builds the basic nest structure at the end of a small branch or sometimes from a telephone wire, and often suspended over water, which he uses to attract a female. If the female deems the nest suitable, she then adds finishing touches to the nest interior before producing a clutch of eggs. Hmm, some resemblance with human behaviour, haha!

Habitat:

They were found at a net covered bird cage for waterbirds at Entebbe Wildlife Education Centre. The Weavers were small enough to slip through the meshes of the net, so they obviously thought the place was an optimal habitat, despite the presence of other birds.

Notes:

The lesser masked weaver is common and widespread in Acacia savanna, open woodland, riverine trees, reedbeds, swamps and mangroves extending from Ethiopia all the way to southern Africa. These birds are primarily insectivorous and they have a special fondness for caterpillars and nectar, and obtain their meals by gleaning prey from foliage and flowers in the treetops. Lesser masked weavers are polygynous and colonial.