Sociable Weaver

Afrikaans name: Versamelvoël - Philetairus socius

Photo © wolfavni - Fotolia.com

The Sociable Weaver is found in the drier regions of South Africa. They are also found in Botswana and Namibia.

The enormous nests of the Sociable Weaver are their claim to fame. These nests are actually made by colonies of birds and are re-used. They are found in trees as well as man-made structures.

Unlike many of the Weavers this one eats insects more than seeds and other plant material. The diet of insects helps give them a supply of water in the arid environment that they call home.

Photo © wolfavni - Fotolia.com

The nests of the Sociable Weaver are often visited by snakes, particularly Cape Cobras. The snakes eat both eggs and chicks. Despite the high level of predation by snakes it is believed that the population of the Sociable Weaver is increasing as pylons have provided new nest sites for them.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	783	Philetairus socius
2nd	783	Philetairus socius
3rd	783	Philetairus socius
4th	783	Philetairus socius
5th	800	Philetairus socius
6th	800	Philetairus socius
7th	838	Philetairus socius

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	783	Sociable Weaver
2nd	783	Sociable Weaver
3rd	783	Social Weaver
4th	783	Social Weaver
5th	800	Sociable Weaver
6th	800	Sociable Weaver
7th	838	Sociable Weaver

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	783	Familievoël
2nd	783	Familievoël
3rd	783	Familievoël
4th	783	Familievoël
5th	800	Versamelvoël
6th	800	Versamelvoël
7th	838	Versamelvoël

References and further reading

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 333

The Living Deserts of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Darry Lovegrove - Published: 2021 - Page: 89

The Living Deserts of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Darry Lovegrove - Published: 2021 - Page: 151

Wild Issue 42 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 56

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 178

World Birds - Author: Brian P. Martin - Published: 1987 - Page: 140

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 198

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 199

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 106

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 416

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 382

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 707

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 709

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 555

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 543

Questions and Answers - Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 26

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 316

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 421

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 406

LBJs - Author: Newman, Johnson, Solomon, Masterson - Published: 1998 - Page: 118

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 406

Guide to the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park - Author: Gus Mills and Clem Haagner - Published: 1996 - Page: 64

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 302

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 413

Country Life - Issue 187 - Author: - Published: 2012 - Page: 56

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 109

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 251

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 77

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 23

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 23

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 294

BirdLife South Africa

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