Preference of nesting material by village weaver birds (Ploceus cucullatus) in University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

The destructive nesting and feeding behaviour of Village Weavers is worrisome due to the detrimental nature to both agricultural production and scenic beauty of many environments. Preference of nesting material by Village Weaver birds (Ploceus cucullatus) in University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria was therefore studied for a period of two months (2^ndst March, 2017), using on-site surveys and observations, with the aim of investigating the nesting materials, colony size and spatial distribution of the species’ nest in the University of Port Harcourt. Data obtained were presented in frequency of counts and maps. Results showed that a total of Twenty three (23) trees of 9 species from eight families were colonized by Village Weavers and these trees had a cumulative number of 1414 active nests. Mangifera indica (576) was the most colonized tree species, followed by Terminalia mantaly (285) and Casuarina equisetifolia (272) while Dypsis lutescens (12) had the least numbers of nests. Twenty out of the twenty three trees used for nest support were in Human – inhabited areas. Materials for nest - building were sourced from a total of 20 plant species. The leaves and inflorescence were the parts of plants mostly used for nest – making. The survey showed that Village Weaver can use many plant species for nesting and nest support and preferred human – inhabited area as location. The use of plant species by Village Weavers is based on availability, however preference is made in the presence of many species. Mangifera indica is the most preferred nest – building support in Abuja campus, Casuarina equisetifolia in Choba campus and Terminalia mantaly at Delta campus. Some plant species such as Azadirachta indica (50%) and Terminalia catappa (24.07%) were neither used for nest building nor support by Ploceus Cucullatus but used for roosting. Village Weaver is a generalist feeder and highly adaptive –the species can share nest support with other species of bird.

Keywords: Aves, Nest, Ornithology, Trees, Vermin control