Nesting Ecology of Village Weavers (Ploceus cucullatus) and the Potential for Urban Bird-based Ecotourism in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria

Urban trees are crucial for preserving biodiversity by providing nesting sites for adaptable bird species. This study examined the habitat of Village Weavers ( Ploceus cucullatus) in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria, and the types of trees they inhabit. There were 23 trees identified as nesting sites, belonging to seven different species from five distinct families. Gmelina arborea (34.8%) and Ficus spp . (26.1%) were the most frequently colonised trees. The trees were between 8.0 and 24.0 meters tall, and their diameter at breast height (DBH) ranged from 0.9 to 2.1 meters in diameter. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the average height and diameter at breast height (DBH) of the four most common species were not significantly different (p > 0.05) with the F-value for tree height as 1.48 and the p-value as 0.25, while the F-value for DBH was 0.97 and the p-value was 0.43. The results show that Village Weavers prefer tall trees with trunks that are moderate to large in diameter and branches that support the structure. However, they can also adapt to nesting in cities. The results stress the importance of urban green spaces for the environment and provide valuable insights for developing bird-friendly urban forestry and ecotourism initiatives. This study is one of the first in Nigeria to examine how urban weaverbirds construct their nests and how this may impact birdwatching in the future.