Village Weaver nesting associations with Yellow-billed Kites and Woolly-necked Storks

Abstract

Village Weavers (Ploceus cucullatus) are known to establish nesting colonies around the nests of larger species, presumably for protection from predators or avian brood parasites. While monitoring Yellow-billed Kite (Milvus aegyptius) and Woolly-necked Stork (Ciconia microscelis) nests in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, we found 54.9% and 15.9%, respectively, had weaver colonies placed around them. The high prevelance of breeding association of Village Weavers with kites and the high nesting synchronisation with them may reflect a greater protective benefit than from associations with Woolly-necked Storks.