It moves among the leafy branches of trees, diligently working to build its beautiful nests. These nests hang with a wide opening at the bottom, which the female bird inspects to choose the most suitable and strongest ones for laying her eggs during the seasonal breeding season.
The Rüppell's Weaver (Ploceus galbula) is a bird commonly found in the forests and valleys of Dhofar Governorate in the south of Oman, especially during the spring season, locally known as the ‘Al Sarb’ season.
According to bird life studies, this bird was formally described by a German naturalist and explorer named Wilhelm Peter Eduard Simon Rüppell, particularly in northeast Africa. He discovered the ‘Rüppell’s Weaver’ as a common species in the ‘Modat valley’ on the coast of Eritrea in 1831.
Adult male ‘Rüppell’s Weaver’ birds are yellow with red eyes and a chestnut mask that may appear black from a distance. Females and non-breeding males have dull colouring. Studies indicate that “breeding Rüppell’s Weaver often nests in colonies of several males, but single-male colonies may occur. In Yemen and the south of Oman, colony size varies from 4 to 50 nests.
Nest sites include a variety of tree species, often thorny species, and are often built over water.” Males are polygamous and will breed with up to three females, typically building up to eight globular nests woven from grass or long strips of palm fronds. Initially, the nests lack an entrance tunnel, but a tunnel of 50 mm may be added later. Two or three eggs are laid, varying in colour from white to blue, usually heavily spotted, sometimes only finely speckled, with brick-red markings. The female incubates the eggs, and in Rüppell’s Weaver, the male feeds the young chicks by regurgitation while the female broods them. After four days, both sexes feed the chicks.
The breeding season of this bird attracts many birdwatching and photography enthusiasts in the Sultanate of Oman. It can be observed in many southern areas such as ‘Ain Sahlounout’ and Wadi Nahiz.
However, observing and photographing this bird can be time-consuming, as it moves quickly. Rare photographs of this bird can be taken during this period and until December, as the male and female work together to secure suitable habitats for nesting their young.
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY YAHYA AL SALMANI
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
