What is a defining characteristic of the communal structures built by the Sociable Weaver (*Philetairus socius*)?

Answer

They are massive, thatched communal roofs that can last for years.

The Sociable Weaver, native to Southern Africa, presents one of the most striking examples of colonial nesting behavior, contrasting sharply with solitary species. Their constructions are not simple, individual hanging pods; instead, they form immense, intricate, thatched communal roofs. These shared edifices are remarkable for their durability, often persisting across multiple breeding seasons spanning several years. This shared structure provides numerous breeding pairs with mutual benefits, including shared insulation capabilities and a significantly increased collective defense mechanism far surpassing the protective capacity of a single, solitary nest.

What is a defining characteristic of the communal structures built by the Sociable Weaver (*Philetairus socius*)?

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