Explore the Heart of South Africa: Nature, Culture, Adventure
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
World Birds - Author: Brian P. Martin - Published: 1987 - Page: 140Wild Issue 42 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 56
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 178
The Living Deserts of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Darry Lovegrove - Published: 2021 - Page: 151
The Living Deserts of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Darry Lovegrove - Published: 2021 - Page: 89
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 333
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 106
Southern African Wildlife - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 198
Southern African Wildlife - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 199
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
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
LBJ s - Author: Newman, Johnson, Solomon, Masterson - Published: 1998 - Page: 118
Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 406
Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 406
Questions and Answers - Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 26
Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 413
Ian Sinclair s Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 302
Guide to the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park - Author: Gus Mills and Clem Haagner - Published: 1996 - Page: 64
Country Life - Issue 187 - Author: - Published: 2012 - Page: 56
Everyone s Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 109
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 77
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 251
Birds of the Kruger and other National Parks - Volume 3 - Author: National Parks Board - Published: 1974 - Page: 6
Birds of Africa south of the Sahara - Author: Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan - Published: 2003 - Page: 656
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
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