Counting in Africa: The BIG and little Five - Red Billed Buffalo Weaver

The red-billed buffalo weaver got its name because they were supposedly seen trailing after herds of buffalo, snatching up the insects disturbed by the large mammals. However, this behaviour has not been accurately recorded again.
The Red-billed buffalo weaver feeds both on the ground and on the wing (meaning it catches food while it flies). Its diet consists of invertebrates, fruit and seeds.
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These birds live in communal nests, with a single male and his harem of females - they occupy any of several nesting chambers within the structure. Every evening, they arrive home and make a big noise together before climbing into one of the numerous holes in the nest and going to sleep for the night.
Male and female buffalo weavers have the similar markings, but the female is more pale with streaks. This difference in plumage is known as sexual dimorphism.
There are three species of buffalo weaver, all found on the African continent: The red and white-billed buffalo weavers (grouped as the black buffalo weavers) and the white-headed buffalo weaver. All three species are large weavers that build communal nests.