Birds Who Build The Biggest Nests

The southern Africa region is inhabited by the sociable weaver, who builds Earth’s largest community nests. Birds build nests for roosting and breeding, and nests differ from species to species, while other birds do not make them at all. Some avifauna species make their nests on the ground while others prefer to build them on trees. Other birds make their nests on rock cliffs while others lay eggs in holes found on trees. Some bird species have exhibited great skill in the construction of their nests such as the social weaver which builds the largest nest of all birds.

Description Of The Social Weaver

The social weaver (Philetairus socius) is classified in the family Passeridae and the genus Philetairus. It was first noted in 1790 by the ornithologist John Latham. Since then, four of its subspecies have been described. The species measures about 5.5 inches and the sexes are not clearly distinguishable. It sports a scalloped back, black chin, and black barred flanks. The bird’s weight ranges between 0.92 and 1.13 oz.

Distribution Range Of The Social Weaver

The social weaver is commonly sighted in Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa. It is most abundant in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. The species favors the arid savannah, which is characterized by the presence of hard grasses including Stipagrostis and Aristida ciliata. The region where the bird occupies experiences low and unpredictable rainfall.