Sociable weaver (Philetairus socius) colony. Social weaver returning to its colony's nest. This small African bird lives in large flocks, the members
Sociable weaver (Philetairus socius) colony. Social weaver returning to its colony's nest. This small African bird lives in large flocks, the members which co-operate to build a large communal nest where each breeding pair has its own entrance. The nests, which the birds thatch (rather than weave) from twigs, grass and straw, can reach over 7 metres in length and weigh over a tonne. A single nest can house up to 400 birds, providing shelter from extreme temperatures. Photographed in Etosha National Park, Namibia.
Size: 5173px × 3449px
Photo credit: © DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: -, 1, africa, african, animal, animals, behaviour, biological, biology, bird, birds, blue, branch, colonial, colony, etosha, fauna, flight, flying, namibia, namibian, national, nature, nest, nesting, ornithological, ornithology, park, perch, perched, perching, philetairus, single, sky, sociable, social, socius, spread, weaver, wildlife, wings, zoological, zoology