Red-browed Weaver

Red-brown Weaver - monogamous lifestyle during the breeding season

During the breeding season, the male has a golden yellow forehead and a golden yellow crown. Lores, cheeks, chin and throat are black or dark brown. The face is also dark brown. The iris of the eye is brown and the legs are light brown. At other times, a Red-brown Weaver is rather inconspicuous, just like the females. They are brown, albeit in various shades of brown, except for the yellow stripe above the eyebrows and the whitish chin. The otherwise horn-colored beak turns dark pink in the male during the breeding season.

Food and Breeding

The otherwise sociable Red-brown Weaver lives monogamously during the breeding season. It builds several nests to attract and deceive the females. Many kilometers are covered to bring in the nesting material. Once the nests are finished, the male hangs upside down from them and flutters excitedly with both wings. The most daring acrobatics are performed at the nest. In addition, there are buzzing courtship calls to lure the female. Each male has its own territory. Through this conspicuous behavior of the males, the females become aware of the males.

The female must be lured while the nest is still fresh and smells of fresh grass. Old nests are completely ignored by the females and the male must destroy them himself. If a female likes the nest, it checks it for quality. If it is satisfied, mating takes place and the eggs are laid there. The two to three eggs are incubated for 11 to 17 days, with both males and females participating. After 11 to 20 days, the young leave the nest. Within the nest, they are also fed by both the male and the female. In summer, there are usually two broods.

Habitat

Red-brown Weavers are not among the endangered bird species. In its distribution areas, it can be frequently encountered and in large numbers. There are only a few areas where it cannot be found. It mainly feeds on insects and seeds. The food is predominantly sought in the reeds of swamps and river arms. It is mainly found in tropical and subtropical seasonal green areas, moors, swamps and peat-moor landscapes. It is predominantly found in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Egypt, India, China, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. It has been introduced in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.