Our post on the nesting of the Asian Golden Weaver (Ploceus hypoxanthus) (LINK) attracted the attention of aviculturist Lee Chiu San. According to him, weavers build their nests to show off their status – that they have a nest and are ready to breed. Thus nest building does not necessarily mean breeding is going on. Lena Chow’s response that females were present, with images to prove her point, confirmed that the weavers were actually breeding.
Kwong Wai Chong’s recent documentation of courtship of these Asian Golden Weavers at the site further reinforced the fact that breeding is ongoing.
“Attached are some pictures showing their breeding activities,” wrote Wai Chong. “A sequence of pictures, taken in Tampines, showing a male trying to court females (above: from top left, clockwise). Pictures of a female ferrying food back to her nest (below left) and a female leaving her nest with faecal sac in her beak (below right) are clear signs that chicks were in the nests. Obviously, the Asian Golden Weavers must be breeding.”
“There were at least eight adults in this colony,” added Wai Chong. “I counted five fully completed nests; three of which were active (with females observed entering or leaving). There were also a few incomplete nests; some with new grass that were just weaved into them. Interesting to note that males were not seen ferrying food. They seemed to be still looking for mates; getting excited even with females that were returning with food for the chicks.”
Kwong Wai Chong
Singapore
June 2011
