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Comments by Joost Brouwer: The male looks to be moulting to first breeding plumage, with its crown still streaked and its iris still dark (hazel in breeding as well as non-breeding males, dark in juvenile and females). Nest materials used: mostly grasses. Robert saw 8 nests together. Perhaps most of the nests were old, but it is perhaps also possible that this oasis in the otherwise very dry Aïr 'invites' colonial nesting by this species.
Picture taken in the middle of the dry season while they are rainy season nesters, till October in Niger. On the other hand, breeding season at an oasis in a very dry area (<150 mm/yr) is perhaps also not tied to the wet season. |
