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Article: Cactus fruits may facilitate Village Weaver (Ploceus cucullatus) breeding in atypical habitat on Hispaniola.(Short Communications)
- Article from:
- Wilson Bulletin
- Article date:
- December 1, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 Wilson Ornithological Society. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The Village Weaver (Ploceus cucullatus, Ploceidae) is native to Africa but has been naturalized on Hispaniola (Lahti 2003). It nests in often dense colonies in a variety of habitats, most abundantly near agricultural fields and water sources. Rice, when available, is the most significant item in the bird's diet; consistent availability of suitable grains, especially during the breeding season, has been suggested to be an important factor limiting the size of Village Weaver populations (Da Camara-Smeets and Manikowski 1981, Adegoke 1983). The species is thought to be absent from arid habitats; in fact, its native range in sub-Saharan Africa coincides with that portion of ...