Nests Aloft
Liam Reilly
| 02-12-2024
· Animal Team
Some time ago in Thailand, drone aerial photography enthusiasts stumbled upon an extraordinary find—an astonishing tree laden not with fruit, as initially thought, but with milky white nests of weaver birds.
But what exactly is a weaver bird?
Weavers, small birds about the size of sparrows, engage in intense competition during the breeding season, weaving intricate hanging nests.
Employing their beaks and claws, they meticulously create nests by tearing palm or grass leaves into thin fiber strips. Weavers adeptly construct the main framework, weaving branches, leaves, and fibers together in a meticulous process reminiscent of basket weaving.
Starting with the solid neck, the weaver then builds downward, sealing the top, expanding the periphery, and forming a central hollow chamber.
A long flight tube is woven at the bottom, protecting the nest from the elements and serving as a defense against predators. Remarkably, around 300 grass cords and fiber strips are needed to complete a single nest.
Weaver birds, hailed as the best weavers in the animal kingdom, exhibit unparalleled ingenuity in nest construction. Some nests defy imagination—initially built upside down or in opposite directions to other birds' nests. How, then, do they hatch chicks in such unconventional nests?
Weavers, meticulous in their craft, gradually seal the downward hole, leaving only a small side opening. This deliberate technique ensures the safety of the chicks. Living in groups, weavers sometimes weave their nests into colossal structures—a giant bird's nest resembling a fallen haystack on a tree.
Within this giant nest, hundreds or even thousands of smaller nests boast separate entry and exit doors, showcasing the weavers' unique architectural prowess.
Weaver birds primarily inhabit tropical Africa and Asia, thriving in grassy and scrubby environments. They form large groups, numbering from dozens to hundreds of thousands, showcasing their prowess as the premier textile workers among birds and even animals.
The discovery in Thailand not only unveiled the breathtaking beauty of weaver bird nests but also underscored the remarkable skill and creativity of these avian architects.
The phenomenon of drone-discovered weaver bird nests in Thailand unveils a fascinating world of avian architecture. Weaver birds, not just avian architects but textile virtuosos, intricately weave nests using grass and plant fibers.
The meticulous construction involves the creation of a solid neck, sealing the top, and forming a central hollow chamber, demonstrating the weavers' unparalleled craftsmanship. What distinguishes them is their ability to build nests in unconventional directions, challenging the norms of avian engineering.
Weaver birds display an ingenious approach to chick safety, carefully sealing downward holes and leaving only small side openings. Their communal living sometimes results in colossal structures—an amalgamation of individual nests forming a giant avian condominium.
This architectural marvel showcases not only the weavers' mastery but also their social structure. The drone's revelation highlights the hidden intricacies of the natural world, emphasizing the beauty and brilliance woven into the fabric of the avian kingdom by these remarkable weaver birds.
The serendipitous discovery of weaver bird nests in Thailand offers a captivating glimpse into avian ingenuity. Weaver birds, celebrated for their architectural finesse, meticulously craft nests with grass and plant fibers, showcasing their unparalleled skills.
The intricate process involves forming a solid neck, sealing the top, and creating a central hollow chamber.

Weaver bird building a nest.

Video by Epic Nature Judy Lehmberg