#626: Quelea

There are three species of Quelea, a Genus of weaver bird found in Africa. The most well known is the Red-billed Quelea, which is currently the most abundant wild bird in the world. Perhaps as many as 10 billion individuals inhabit the sub-Saharan regions of Africa. Flocks can take 5 hours to fly past. These birds breed during the rains, gathering in vast numbers. The males weave the nest and within twelve days of laying, up to four chicks hatch. These chicks grow fast, fledging at only two weeks old. It is this swift breeding system which leads to the population explosion. his diet consists of seeds and grains, and flocks can decimate crops, making them a serious agricultural pest. To counteract this, millions of birds are shot every year, and roosting sites are targeted at night, obliterating the birds in their sleep. Non-target species may, unfotunately, get caught in the crossfire, leading to their decline - while the Quelea still swarms on and on.