Essentials of the Fox’s Weaver
Essentials of the Fox’s Weaver: This rare bird species, known as Fox’s weaver (Ploceus spekeoides) with a very large head is native to Uganda and mostly inhabits wetlands, lowland grasslands that are occasionally flooded or wet, and moist savannas. This species was first recognised in 1913 from a specimen that had been obtained in Teso, central Uganda. It was formally described in 1947. The striking feathers and skillful nest-building abilities of the Fox’s Weaver, which frequently weaves complex nests out of tall grasses or reeds, among others,. Sadly, wetland drainage and habitat loss from agricultural development pose risks to it, which is why the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified it as near-threatened. To preserve this species and its fragile ecology, conservation activities are essential.
Uganda’s Fox’s Weaver was last recorded in 1996, when around 40 birds were found nesting on the edges of Lake Bisina. There was no further record of the bird species until the past two years, when it was found breeding at a different location within the same Lake Bisina and Opeta watershed. Only the north-eastern regions of Uganda are home to this weaver species. In August 2019, an expedition in the seasonally flooded planes of that area found fresh pockets of breeding colonies in previously undiscovered regions.
Habitation and Essentials of the Fox’s Weaver
One unique bird species found solely in Uganda is the Fox’s Weaver, which is considered unique to the country. Merely observed in the periodically flooded marshes of the Teso Sub region in the northeastern region of the nation, the species has not received much scientific attention. The species was known to like Papyrus swamps with surrounding trees, as evidenced by earlier records from the borders of L. Opeta, L. Kyoga, and L. Bisina. However, it also nests on acacia trees in wetlands or over bodies of water. In the major wet season, the species is thought to reproduce, and in the dry season, it may migrate even further north to South Sudan.
Comparably, the Fox’s Weaver’s habitat is shared with the Karamoja Apalis, another infrequently recognised species. Its ecology and population are the subject of some, but insufficient, information. The Cisticolidae family contains the uncommon and little recognised Karamoja Apalis, an endemic species of East Africa. North-eastern Uganda, northern Tanzania, and southern Kenya are the only places where the species may be found. Van Someren collected three specimens of the species, which were initially found in 1919 at Mount Kamalinga in the then-Karamoja District of Uganda. As of right now, only the northeastern region of Uganda, including the areas around Kidepo, Mount Moroto, and Mount Napak, is home to the Karamoja Apalis. Although the exact number of Karamoja Apalis is unknown, projections indicate that the Karamoja Apalis is becoming less common in many of its primary habitats as a result of the size and quality of its preferred environment being less.
Research Findings and Essentials of the Fox’s Weaver
Four groups worked together to perform the Fox’s Weaver and Karamoja Apalis study in August 2019. Staff from Nature Uganda and volunteers from the Uganda Bird Guides Club (UBGC) made up the team. To map the distribution of the two species in northeastern Uganda, line transects were used. Furthermore, detailed information regarding the nesting sites of the two species was documented, along with a description of the habitat parameters at each site. Priority areas for conservation will be determined by analysing data on the distribution and preferred habitat of the Karamoja Apalis and Fox’s Weaver.
The survey was scheduled to take place at the two species reported peak mating season. The districts of Katakwi, Kapelebyong, Kumi, Soroti, and Napak contained the majority of the sites that were surveyed. Ogongoja in Kapelebyong District, Iriri in Napak District, Fox’s Weaver and Karamoja Apalis were recorded in Magoro, Palam, and Ngarium in Katakwi Districts, thanks to the diligent work of all teams. In the past, Pian Upe in the Nakapiripit District was home to another colony. In Kumi and Sororti Districts, no recordings were kept in the visited sites, despite earlier reports of observations at the Awoja bridge in Soroti District. Every observation site—aside from Iriri sites—recorded weaver breeding.
The survey’s conclusions demonstrated that Vachelia drepanolobium, also known as the Whistling-thorn Acacia, is the predominant species in the seasonally flooded grasslands that are home to both Fox’s Weaver and Karamoja Apalis. On the other hand, the Fox’s Weaver breeding colony in Palam was situated near three still pools of water at the sides of the road, rather than near any damp areas. The Fox’s Weaver’s preferred nesting tree was this kind of acacia. Ngarium and Magoro had the greatest number of individuals that were observed. The nesting trees were located close to a road in every breeding record instance, and it was usual to witness birds in this region either perched a short distance off the road or flying across it.
Observations and Essentials of the Fox’s Weaver
As opposed to this, the survey revealed no Breeding Karamoja Apalis. Fox’s Weaver records from the survey included sixty-six (66) people in total. Men made up the majority of these (74%), followed by women (23%), and juveniles (3%). Katakwi had the highest number of individuals reported (50). Followed by Napak with seven, Amuria with six, and Soroti with three. Eight (8) sites in the Amuria and Katakwi Districts yielded a total of 168 nests that were recorded. The Karamoja Apalis study also yielded the records of seventeen (17) people. Five (5) were female, and the remaining Twelve (12) were male. Eight bird records total—five in Katakwi, two in Amuria, and two in Soroti—were made, with the majority of the records occurring in Napak. Additionally, two (2) were registered in Amuria, two (2) in Soroti, and five (5) in Katakwi. No Apalis nests were found at any of the locations.
Management or conservation recommendations
In terms of knowledge and information gaps about the ecology and behaviour of the two species, Nature Uganda is setting the standard. Nature Uganda has conducted three excursions in total, working with partners like the African Bird Club (ABC), Uganda Bird Guides Club (UBGC), and Local Bird guides to locate and estimate the population of the species, map their distribution, and document the birds’ habitat, particularly the breeding ecology.
In our attempt to solve the mystery surrounding Uganda’s lone endemic bird species, the survey represents a significant advancement. To alleviate risks to its habitat and establish species conservation measures to ensure the survival of its population in Uganda, further research will be needed in the near future to fully understand the bird’s range and ecology. It is appropriate to use this for both breeding and non-breeding seasons.