Reproduction

Pairs which have mated may remain together for a number of years.

Sociable weavers nest together in the nest structures which they form from straw (see behavior section for more details on nest construction). They will nest alongside 100s of other pairs in their own chamber. The nesting chamber is lined with soft plant material, fur or fluff.

In to their nest the female will deposit between 3 and 4 eggs colored white with grey spots. These are incubated for between 13 and 14 days.

These hatchlings fledge after 21 to 24 days. Both parents work together to feed the chicks. Fledged siblings may also help provide food.

At hatching the chicks eyes are closed. They will open by 7-10 days old. Feathers begin to emerge at 14 days old.

They reach sexual maturity between 1 and 2 years old.

If a breeding attempt is unsuccessful they will quickly produce another clutch of eggs. Within a breeding season they can produce a number of clutches of eggs.

Behavior

These birds create large community nests where they can breed. Dozens of pairs may share the same nest with all the individuals working together to maintain the thatchlike roof over the nest. Group members work together to weave straw together to form the nest.

This nest site is also where they will roost at night.

Sociable weavers build these nests in trees or on man-made structures such as telephones poles, windmills or any other structure.

Each nest may have up to 100 individual chambers with each housing a single pair.

Once these birds create a nest they will spend their entire life there.

The call of the sociable weaver sounds like ‘chi-chi-chi-chi.’ These birds are considered highly vocal. They have a harsh, single note call to show alarm.

Sociable weavers are active during the day. They emerge at sunrise and go out to feed. When the weather is hot they will rest within the nest or under shade.

As a social species they will groom one another during the day to reinforce bonds.

Predators and Threats

Natural predators of the sociable weaver include snakes such as the cape cobra and boomslang which will enter the nest to take eggs or hatchlings. Adults can be taken in flight by birds of prey.

When on the ground they may face a threat from mongooses, ratels, caracals and the cape wild cat.

Their nest can be taken over by other birds such as pygmy falcons and lovebirds along with reptiles and insects. Pygmy falcons rely on the sociable weaver for their nesting sites and may share with these birds.

To protect the entrance of their nest it will have sharp spikes of straw across it.

While no major study has determined the exact population size they are considered to be common with a stable population.

Quick facts

Their Latin name socius comes from the word for ‘sociable.’

Sociable weavers build the largest tree nests in the world. Some nests grow so large they can make the nest fall out of a tree.