It is a small flock of about 20 Thick Billed Weavers (mostly hens and juveniles )
They seem to be attracted to the berries of the white Stinkwood tree in the garden .
It would be interesting to know if these birds have been spotted further west than the Roodepoort area
and if anyone has been successful in breeding them.
Do let us know. Heres a picture of some juveniles (note the yellow beaks)
2 comments:
HI MIKE. AN INTERESTING SIGHTING INDEED! THICK -BILLED WEAVERS ARE FOUND ON THE EAST COAST OF SOUTH AFRICA. ALTHOUGH THE BOOKS DON'T SHOW THIS, NUMEROUS SIGHTINGS HAVE BEEN MADE ACROSS MUCH OF GAUTENG OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS OR SO. MY OPINION IS THAT THESE BIRDS ARE NATURALLY SPREADING WEST WARDS POSSABLY DUE TO CONDITIONS BECOMING MORE VAFOURABLE TO THEM. THEY COULD ALSO BE AVIARY ESCAPEES THAT HAVE SETTLED IN THE AREA, BUT I FIND THIS UNLIKELY AS THEY ARE NOT POPULAR AMONGST TRAPPERS. I HAVE SPOTTED THEM IN WADEVILLE AND MANY OTHER AREAS SURROUNDING JOHANNESBURG FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW. NICE TO SEE THAT THEY ARE BEING NOTICED!
WALTER
Thanks for your comments Walter.
They have been back a couple of times and seem to really enjoy the White Stinkwood berries.
Just for the record: I have discovered that they breed at Delta Park, near Emmerentia, so guess due to overcrowding, this could be a flock looking for greener pastures
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