Getting to know one of the Algarve’s exotic residents

If you happen to spend some time in the hide at Quinta do Lago then you will almost certainly get to see this gentleman. He is unmissable in his bright yellow plumage.DSCN9199

His Portuguese name is Tecelão-de-cabeça-preta, and we call them Black-Headed Weavers. He is considered an exotic here because, like the parakeets in London, Black-Headed Weavers are a new introduction. I believe it was an accidental introduction with birds escaping from cages – the Portuguese do like to keep song birds :-(. There doesn’t appear to be any detrimental affect on native birds from the colonisation, although in time the cross-breeding between weavers could I guess lead to a new sub-species.

We were only in the hide for about 20minutes as apart from the Weaver there was little to see on this particular day. However he was great fun to watch as he seemed to be heavily promoting his new nest – the green one – to all and sundry. For the whole time we were there he was making lots of noise and performing aerial acrobatics.

Unfortunately for all his efforts the only attention he got whilst we were there was me taking numerous photographs of him. Hopefully though soon after we left a female Weaver would have visited and been impressed by both his performance and his nest!DSCN9185

The hide we’ve noticed is becoming one of the hot spots for birders in the Algarve, and so if you get your timing slightly wrong you might have to wait for a space on a seat in the room upstairs. DSCN9198Generally most who visit are true birders who stay quiet or at least keep their quiet chatter to a minimum. Unfortunately though there have been occasions when the chat has not been so quiet, and some have even walked in front of the hide on the lakeside. Hopefully though these irritating incidents will remain a rarity as this is one of the best places to see the Sultana Bird, Little Bitterns and of course the Tecelão-de-cabeça-preta.

Author: BeckyB

It had been a good life walking, cooking, photographing, volunteering, blogging, and best of all spending time with MrB, family, & friends. Sadly it is no longer what it was, as suddenly and unexpectedly I became a widow.

14 thoughts

  1. Pingback: Sealing wax in the Algarvian flora | It caught my eye in Portugal

  2. We’re bird watchers too, and on our first trip to Portugal recently we wondered where we could do some birdwatching. We’ll remember Quinta de Lago for a future trip. Thanks.

  3. I looked at this with my Spanish friend. Superb photos. She goes to Manta Rota and hadn’t realised how many beautiful birds are hidden away in the Algarve!

    1. Thanks so much, and yes I will although probably on my other blog if that’s ok. Not sure when I’ll begin but I’ll let you know when I do. Thanks again.

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