Vieillot's Black Weaver

Near the entrance to the Mabamba Swamp (where wooden boats are launched into the water), southwest of Entebbe, Uganda, there is a tree bursting with round, hanging, grass nests and full of male dark black weavers with yellow eyes. Further from the water, in seemingly another world, on the hill below Nkima Forest Lodge, a completely different looking brown and yellow female bird was found, both Vieillot's black weavers. 

Territory is defended by the male. Males burst into song when females visit the colony. In a nest-advertisement display, males hang below the nest entrance, quivering wings, with tail raised away from the nest. 

Entrance to the nest from below. It is woven by the male from strips of palm leaves or grass. The hanging perch below the nest looks like a swing. Very often found close to people, like these. 

Illustration of male Vieillot's black weaver from Birds of the World. 

Illustration of female Vieillot's black weaver from Birds of the World. 

Range from Birds of the World.