Weaving & Rolling

These charming birds are named after their behavior -- Rollers are named for their acrobatic flying and Weavers for how they build their nests. Appropriate in my humble opinion. Oh and I threw in a Canary too.

Yellow-fronted Canary - One of the most common small birds in South Africa they originated on the Canary Islands.

Red-billed Quelea - The most abundant bird on earth numbering @1.5billion (mostly in India) - their large flock attract predators - feathered, scaly & hairy.

Red-billed Buffalo Weaver - They build big communal stick nests and vultures often breed on top of the nest. Fun fact -- this the only passerine (Song bird) that has an external penis although it does not transfer sperm, so it is thought to be mainly for the female's pleasure.

Southern Masked Weaver - These males build about 25 nests each summer which the female inspects and if she approves, she provide the internal lining. If not the male rips it up and starts over.

Spectacled Weaver - Although most weavers live in colonies, this species lives in pairs. It has a narrow "bandit" mask that makes it look very dramatic.

White-browed Sparrow-weaver - A colony nester they look like balls of straw stuck to trees. They typically place their nests on the west side of trees.

Purple Roller - Also called a Rufous-crowned Roller. It has a massive bill and is capable of killing small reptiles, mice and (gasp) even young birds.

Roll on!