Social Weavers

[chris]

Hi all,

just wondering if anyone has ever seen these birds for sale in captivity, or kept them personally?

i've always wanted to keep a few since this is the species that builds the big big big nests that can bring down trees!! and has it's own microclimate

Chris;-)

[laurab]

Hi Chris

I have never seen nor kept these birds, but I am sure I have read something about them in C&A.

[Gary]

iam sure i saw some grey crowned social weavers at the last spring stafford, 100pound a pr

[chris]

100 pound a pair:shock: that's a bit steep considering the numbers they breed in in the wild

i think i better start counting the pennies:lol:

Chris:wink:

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Chris,

I believe the Social Weavers priced at over £100pr were the Black Crowned Social Weaver.
The Birds were very attractive, but to me didn't justify the price.:shock:

This Species has become available on stock lists this year at a better price of £60-£80pr.
I would treat this Species of Weaver as a Weaver/Softbilll.

Paul.:wink:

[kenny]

hi chris

some pics for you to tempt you further

ken
http://www.feathered-friends.co.uk/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=199&stc=1http://www.feathered-friends.co.uk/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=200&stc=1http://www.feathered-friends.co.uk/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=201&stc=1http://www.feathered-friends.co.uk/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=202&stc=1 (http://www.feathered-friends.co.uk/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=199&stc=1http://www.feathered-friends.co.uk/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=200&stc=1http://www.feathered-friends.co.uk/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=201&stc=1http://www.feathered-friends.co.uk/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=202&stc=1)

[Gary]

paul was correct, i forgot what species it was

[chris]

hmmm,

a softbill.weaver sounds very interesting. i've been wanting to try out a few softbill species for a while now and weavers are generally half way there anyway with all the livefoods they eat.

very tempting, i'll definately be keeping my eye out for some

Chris;-)

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Chris,

These Weavers may be the introduction to Softbills you have been waiting for, but I urge you and everyone else on this Forum, please do not be put off of keeping and breeding Softbilled Birds for as long as I was!!

Softbilled Birds in general are no harder to cater for than most easily kept and bred Hardbilled Birds, it is a myth that Softbills are as difficult to keep as many older books will have you believe.

As with all Birds, as long as you do your homework on a particular Species and ask for advice when needed, Softbilled Birds are as easy to keep and breed as any Bird Species.:wink:

On a different note, just because the word Finch is used this doesn't always mean the Species is easily catered for.
A couple of examples are Negro Finches and Oriole Finches, just because they are named as Finches doesn't mean they should be fed only seeds, these Birds should be treated as much as Softbills as they should be treated as Finches/Hardbills.

As I say, do your homework on all Bird Species.

Paul.:wink: