Philetairus socius
| Sociable weaver | |
|---|---|
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| At Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Passeridae |
| Genus: |
Philetairus A. Smith, 1837 |
| Species: | P. socius |
| Binomial name | |
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Philetairus socius (Latham, 1790) |
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| Subspecies | |
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P. s. socius |
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| Distribution of Philetairus socius in the Southern Kalahari region across South Africa, Namibia and Botswana | |
P. s. socius
P. s. eremnus
P. s. xericus
P. s. geminus
The sociable weaver (Philetairus socius), also commonly known as the common social weaver, common social-weaver, and social weaver, is a species of bird in the Passeridae family endemic to Southern Africa. It is monotypic within the genus Philetairus. It is found in South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. but their range is centered within the Northern Cape Province of South Africa . They build large compound community nests, a rarity among birds. These nests are perhaps the most spectacular structure built by any bird.
The sociable weaver was first described by ornithologist John Latham in 1790. Four sub-species have been recognised. P. s. eremnus occurs around Orange River valley, while the nominate P. s. socius around Northern Cape Province and Namibia. Both the others, P. s. xericus and P. s. geminus occur in Namibia, the latter found in Etosha National Park and Owambo. This is the only living species in the genus Philetairus.
Measuring around 14 cm (5.5 in) in length, the sociable weaver has a black chin, black barred flanks and a scalloped back. They weigh 26–32 g (0.92–1.13 oz), and sexes are indistinguishable.
The species ranges across northwestern South Africa, southwest Botswana and extending northwards across Namibia. It is strongly associated with the arid savannahs characteristic of the southern Kalahari region. The presence of stiff grasses such as Aristida ciliata and Stipagrostis, an important nesting material is an important determinant of its distribution. The taller grasses and the fire-prone nature of the Northern and Central Kalahari regions may be a factor for the absence of the bird in those regions. The area is semi-arid with low and unpredictable rainfall occurring mostly in the summer. The population has not been quantified but the birds are described as "common to abundant".
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Wikipedia