2010-06-29 What is the reason why Sociable Weavers are linked to areas below 600 mm per annum rainfall? Photo: Bernard Dupont. Female Southern Masks don’t get the flashy plumage that males do, and they look like any little brown finch. Along the edge of the black feathers they have red accents, and their eyes are also bright red. Well, that's the essential gimmick of the southern masked weaver of Africa, which constructs its intricate nests out of wide strips of grass, reeds, and/or palm blades. Southern Masked Weavers build nests that have specially sized entrances to ward off parasitic birds. Male weavers build as many as two dozen nests each breeding season, completing each structure in anywhere from 9 to 14 hours, then proudly display their wares to available females. Breeding / Nesting: The breeding season usually stretches from September through October and from January through February. The southern masked weaver nests in colonies, mainly from September to January. The nest is built in a tree, often over water, but sometimes in suburbia. Male Southern Masked Weaver displaying from a new nest See breeding records for Southern Masked Weavers here. Many species just simply make one to … Southern Masked Weaver, adult male in breeding pluamge Southern Masked Weaver, adult female . Nature dictates that birds built nests as temporary refuge for eggs and young chicks. The parasite waits patiently to try to sneak its spawn into another bird’s nest. This weaver also nests in reeds. Southern Masked Weaver – The Southern Masked species has beautiful yellow plumage and a distinct black patch of feathers across its face. Southern masked weavers – Africa’s most widespread weaver – are true artisans, creating distinct dome nests that hang suspended in trees. (Jean-Pierre Le Roux) The Sociable Weaver … The Southern Masked Weaver male in breeding plumage (photo above left) is bright yellow with a black mask and red eye.In non-breeding plumage … Southern Masked Weaver - various names, appearance, call, mating and nesting building practices, relationship with predators When a cuckoo comes and adds an ‘unsuspected’ egg to the nest, the Weaver will sort it out based on its color and get rid of it. 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. As soon as the owners leave, it darts into their home and lays a single egg. The Southern Masked Weaver is widespread on the savanna, grassland, woodland, wetlands and semi-desert areas as well as suburban areas across southern Africa. Lesser Masked Weavers are territorial colonial nesters, with colonies of about 10-300 breeding males. 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