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Yellow Weaver Finches: An Overview

28 13:29:04
Weaver finches, and Yellow weavers in particular, are often known as "weaver birds" because of the extremely complex nests built by the male birds to try and attract females. What is interesting about Yellow weavers is that they tend to live in colonies, unlike many other birds which simply flock together regularly. Instead, the male weavers will build their nests together, working with each other and placing multiple nests on the same branch. This can result in an interesting display when female weavers are around, since they'll all attempt to compete for the same female's attention!

There are places where Yellow weavers may be seen in captivity, such as the Paradise Bird Aviary or Paradise Earth, and because the nests aren't typically built too high off the ground, visitors can see the mass of nests above in the tree branches. Yellow weaver nest materials vary significantly, as they tend to be skilled enough to use whatever is available to build their elaborate homes. Anything from leaf fibers, grass, and twigs are used, and in some cases, weavers will actually create enormous messy-looking stick nests that have smaller, circular woven nests inside. Some varieties of Yellow weaver in Africa will actually build apartment nests, where up to 300 weaver couples will have their own spherical rooms that they enter through the bottom of a massive apartment-building nest.

Weaver finches are typically found in tropical areas of Asia, Australia and sub-Saharan Africa, and Yellow weavers males tend to be polygamous, mating with up to four females during the same breeding season that runs from May to September. Most of the courtship rituals are very elaborate, consisting of repeated loud noises, detailed dances and flight routines, and generally gregarious behavior!

After mating, a female weaver clutch tends to be around 2 to 4 eggs, and unlike many other bird species, the male Yellow weaver doesn't spend time incubating the eggs. The hatching period should come within 14-15 days after the eggs are laid.

In terms of keeping a Yellow weaver for a pet, they can be kept as cage birds in the home, however their excessive noise and energetic behavior can be distracting for people looking for a quieter and more sedentary pet. They will eat insects and tropical fruit, and they should easily become familiar with their handlers. However, any Yellow weaver that is kept in the home will need to have been bred in captivity, as bringing a wild weaver into your home is both illegal and traumatizing for the bird itself.