| The weaver is a medium sized finch and can be agressive to smaller birds. The cock in mating plumage is a beautiful bird. He features a dark orange head and tail while the middle of his body is black. Out of color, the cocks look just like the hens, a dull brown color. The hen and cock both resemble a wild sparrow, being light brown with black markings. Cocks are best housed with many hens. These birds have a territorial aggressive attitude during breeding season. So keep this in mind when housing them with other birds. Although some cocks are very agressive, there are a few who show no agressiveness at all towards other birds. The weavers start breeding in the rainy season. The weavers will not nest in man made nests. The cocks must buid their own nests and they must be built with green materials or the hen will not accepts the nest. They construct them of firm materials and then invite the hen to inspect it. If she accepts the nest, then they mate. The cock then leaves the hen to sit on the eggs and raise the young on her own while he courts a new hen (this is why the cocks should have many hens). There are several species and subspecies of African Orange Weavers. They are sometimes called Crimson-crowned or Red Bishops. They are native to Africa.. Their color is brilliant during the breeding season but fades once it is over. The female is never as colorful as the male. They live as pairs or in groups and eat seeds, greens, commercial eggs and soft food, and love insects. Above: Cock in breeding plumage Below: Hen |
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| Orange Weaver |