The nesting ecology of weaverbirds in Ekona farms, Southwest Region, Cameroon

Ecological factors play a key role in determining nest construction and success in weaver birds. The objective of this survey was to determine the ecological role on the nest construction in weaver birds in Ekona farms. The research data was collected from March – August 2016, by randomly laying six transects of 1km long and 100m wide each within the study area, and four different locations were visited also to observe the daily nesting-activities of the weaver birds. The ecological data of the weaver birds nesting behaviour was observed and recorded, against the day-period, weather and seasonal changes. The data was analysed using Chi-square and Pearson correlation statistical models. The result showed a positive correlation between the weaver birds' population and nest density in both seasons (R2=0.5407 at P < 0.05). Moreover, from the analysis, the relationship between nest-building and plant-type used recorded significance (X2= 69.1040, df= 28 at P < 0.05). In addition, it was observed that nest-building in the sunny weather was more intense than in rainy weather, 54.57% for sunny, 42.86% for rainy and 2.7% for cloudy weather conditions. Furthermore, there was a significant relationship (X2= 830.752, df=44 at P< 0.05) between weaver birds' activities and the day-period. The study has revealed that both the seasonal and weather changes can affect the nest-building activities of the weaver birds in Ekona farming area.