Taxonomy/Origins: The Southern parts of Southern Africa near a permanent source of water. There are several races of the Orange Weavers represented over this vast area.
Subspecies: There are possibly in excess of ten sub species or similar species, depending on your own school of thought, the most commonly exported is the Orange and Black Weaver which is normally called the Orange Bishop (E.O.Francisana). Apart from size variation the most distinct way of identification is the location of black feathers around the bill. Grenadier (black above and below the bill), Crimson Crowned (Black below the bill, red above the bill), Orange Bishop (black above the bill,orange under the bill). There are other differences but this is the easiest way to differentiate when males are in colour. Hens are generally a similar size to males when they are out of colour.
Plumage Colouration: Males in colour have orange/red areas and black face and body. Wings and tail flecked browns. Males out of colour are flecked brown. Females and young are flecked brown as per the Male, but with beak and legs possibly lighter colour (typical sparrow drab).
Sexing: When in colour the colour variation is striking, females have no orange/red colouration all. Out of colour is very different, both sexes look alike. They can be sexed at this stage by size, cocks being slightly larger but older breeding hens tend to thicken up so this can become confusing.The males have a large beak and bigger feet. Young males will not colour up until at least 18months old, they will show a little colour and display in their first year but will not fully colour until the following spring.
Feeding: Their feeding requirements are very basic as per other finches - a good quality foreign finch mixture. When they are breeding live food is a must, a plentiful supply of mealworms and gents are required as the young grow so quickly they need that extra protein.
Housing: Like most weavers cages don't really do justice to these birds, they do far better in a flight. If you are fortunate enough to be able to house a small colony in a planted flight the nest weaving and family duties of the hen is well worth the effort given to supply the preferable accommodation. The privet bush or other leafy shrubs are very good, by the end of the breeding season the shrubs may begin to look rather tatty but will recover ready for the next season.
They will live quite happily along with other finches of similar size or smaller and all may breed. My opinion of aviary size with any weavers is the same "AS BIG AS POSSIBLE".
Breeding: Over the last 6 years or so we have changed our breeding methods which have resulted in far better breeding results. In the past we ran one male with 3 or 4 hens. These days, if the aviary is large enough, we run 2 or more adult males with 2 or 3 females per male. They are true weavers building in growing plants or forked dry brush. 3 or 4 aqua eggs are laid, hatching in approximately 14days. If enough live food is fed and the eggs are fertile, 2 or 3 young should fledge in another 14days and become independent 21days later. Put in the normal nesting grass plus coconut fibre and elegant nests should be constructed.
Hints/tips: Two thirds of the way through the breeding season try putting in another male, this seems to fire up the males into another nest building/breeding frame of mind. Don't fiddle with the nest and don't put in any unteased cotton wool. If this is done the females will take so much her eggs could be covered and lost.
Unique Characteristics: One of their best attributes is that they are tough and long lived. In a planted flight they are usually the ones that attract most visitors attention, certainly in my aviaries. I do not find them spiteful at all.
Showing: As I do not show these birds myself I can not comment entirely, but I doubt if they are suitable. They would certainly need a lot of cage training before they would bench well.
They are well worth consideration as they are a specie that has character. All of the orange weavers can be housed and treated the same. DONOT put similar species together as they will hybridise and you end up with a nothing specimen. If you would like any more information about Grenadier Weavers please get in touch with me by email, my address is at the bottom of this page. If you want breeding data on other weavers or whydahs make contact and I will try and help.
Feel free to get in touch with any further questions. You can contact me via the FF Forum my username is 'David Holmes'.
