The
sociable weaver (
Philetairus socius) is a species of bird in the weaver family,
Ploceidae,
endemic to southern Africa. It is the only species in the
monotypic genus
Philetairus. The bird is found in South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana, with its range centred within the South African province of
Northern Cape. They build large compound community nests, which are amongst the largest built by any avian species and capable of housing more than a hundred pairs of birds. This sociable weaver was photographed perching on a branch in
Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa.
Photograph credit: Charles J. Sharp