Southern Masked Weaver

Masked Weaver ( Ploceus velatus )

The Masked Weaver ( Ploceus velatus ) is a bird of the order Passeriformes ( Passeriformes ). The name derives from the mask- like dark coloring of the face and typical for many species of weaver birds nest.

Features

The Masked Weaver is 11 to 15 inches long, has a short, conical bill and pinkish brown claws. The breeding plumage of the male shows a black face, neck and beak, a bright yellow chest and head, red eyes and a greenish back. The female has a pink brown beak, brown or reddish-brown eyes, a pale yellow- green plumage and a darker pattern on its back. The plumage of the male presents the characteristics of the female, but with red eyes.

Occurrence

The distribution area of the mask Weber is southern Africa. There he comes to the west, the south and the center of Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, except the north-east and south to South Africa before. It is the most common Weber in the arid regions in the western and inner South Africa. Its habitat is broad. It can be found both in the bush, savannah, in the grasslands, in Inland wetlands in semi-deserts and in urban parks and gardens.

Nutrition

The mask Weber usually goes singly or in small groups in search of food. But It is also found in large groups along with other grain eaters. It feeds on seeds, grains, fruits, nectar and insects.

Reproduction

The Masked Weaver is a colony breeders and a very sociable bird. The main breeding season is from September to January. Males have multiple female partners in general and build up to 25 nests per year. Their nests are, as is typical for Weber, built of reeds, grass or other plant fibers. They are usually built in trees close to water, because in the vicinity of fresh blades of grass are easier to find. Before the male starts to build, remove it from the road, so that snakes can not approach the nest unnoticed all the leaves. Further protection from predators is the creation of the input in the lower part of the nest. For the construction of a nest of the mask Weber takes about 5 days. To move a female to mate successfully, the male has to build up to 5 nests. The Masked Weaver is the preferred host bird of gold cuckoo ( Chrysococcyx caprius ).

System

Occasionally the mask Weber Weber, the yolk, the Katangaweber, the Ruwet -Weber and the Reichard -Weber are assigned, which are common in North and East Africa.