THURLOW - BLACK-HEADED WEAVER



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male dismantled it and started to build a new nest in the same position; this

has proved to be the norm.


Within a couple of weeks the female was again incubating two eggs and

this time hatched and reared two chicks to fledging. There was an obvious

age difference between the fledglings, the younger of which was ignored

by its parent. This again has proved to be the norm with this species, with

only the eldest chick being fed once the youngsters have left the nest. This

even happened on the single occasion when three eggs were laid and three

young fledged; attempts at hand-rearing at this stage have, to date, been

unsuccessful. Others breeding Village Weavers suggest this is normal, with

only one chick per clutch reaching independence.


In the first season two chicks were reared to independence, which

subsequently proved to be a male and female. The pattern was similar the

following year, with two chicks being reared, which again proved to be a

male and female.


Although considered to be seedeaters, I have found that these weavers

are really omnivores with a marked preference for livefood. They also take

a significant amount of fruit in the form of soft pear, melon and pawpaw

(papaya). Seed is taken only in relatively small quantities and then only

plain canary seed, millet sprays and small striped sunflower seed; the various

forms of loose millet are ignored.


This year (2007) has been disappointing in that the old pair have produced

three clutches of eggs to date (the end of June) and all have proved to be

infertile, despite mating having been observed. I therefore assume that the

old male is no longer fertile. The birds appear to reach sexual maturity

and full colour in their second year and the young birds from the first

successful season have now formed a pair and have two chicks - a less than

ideal situation - and I fear that unless I can find new stock this small colony

is doomed. I would be pleased, therefore, to hear of anyone keeping this

species of weaver.


The author, an Avicultural Society Council Member, lives in Yorkshire.

He can be contacted through the Hon. Editor.



