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Ploceus velatus
Weaver busy weaving a nest. Yesterdays work and today's work can be seen by the colour of the grass.
The Southern Masked Weaver or African Masked Weaver (Ploceus velatus) is a resident breeding bird species common throughout southern Africa. This weaver is very widespread and found in a wide range of habitats, including shrubland, savanna, grassland, open woodland, inland wetlands and semi-desert areas. It also occurs in suburban gardens and parks. The Southern Masked Weaver is 11-14.5 cm long with a short, strong, conical bill and pinkish brown legs. The adult male in breeding plumage has a black face, throat and beak, red eye, bright yellow head and underparts, and a plain yellowish-green back, The female has a pinkish-brown bill, brown or red-brown eye and is dull greenish-yellow, streaked darker on the upper back. The throat is yellowish, fading to off-white on the belly. The non-breeding male resembles the female but retains the red eye. The juvenile of this species is like the female. The call is a harsh swizzling, similar to other weavers. It also utters a sharp chuk alarm note. Breeding The Southern Masked Weaver nests in colonies, mainly from September to January. Males have several female partners, and build a succession of nests, typically 25 each season. The nests, like those of other weavers, are woven from reed, palm or grass. A female will line a selected nest with soft grass and feathers. The nest is built in a tree, often over water, but sometimes in suburbia. This weaver also nests in reeds. The Southern Masked Weaver lays eggs of a various colour and this helps it to evade parasitisation by cuckoos because the cuckoo has no way of knowing what kind of eggs are inside the weaver's nest until it has entered the nest to attempt to lay one itself. Eggs of the wrong colouration are ejected by the nest owners. Feeding The Southern Masked Weaver is usually seen singly or in small groups. It may also form larger flocks, alone or with other seed eating species. It eats insects, seeds and nectar, and will come to feeding tables. (From Wikipedia)
29 Comments (1–25)
Congrats! So many good spotting i dont know what to do with myself :)
congratulations.... amazing series!
Congrats Johan....great series!!
Amazing series. Congratulations on this wonderful SOTD!
Congratulations ..... great series .......
Congrats ! Very good series. This bird has amazing colour.
Congratulations! Truly wonderful spotting.
Thanks for all the kind comments. This one was a real surprise!
Congratulations on your SOTD, Johan. Weavers are amazing birds. I've never seen this particular species before, so thanks for the introduction :-)
These birds allways show me the amazing capacitys of birds,very nice series,congrats on the SOTD and thanks for sharing
Congratulations on your SOTD Johan, you really got the action, I love this photo
Congratulations Johan, lovely well-deserved SOTD.
Beautiful Johan .. congratulations on the SOTD
Wow! How wonderful. I'll be in SA in little over three weeks... hope I see something that cool
Thanks everyone! This one was a real surprise!
Congratulations Johan. Nice bird
Congratulations on your SOTD Johan
Congrats Johan! Fantastic series
Congratulations Johan, your acrobatic masked weaver has been chosen as Spotting of the Day!
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very nice :)
Wonderful series!
Beautiful series!!!
Wonderful series Johan! I hope one of the ladies will like it :-)
Thanks for all the comments!
Wonderful series!