Abstract

Village weaverbirds (Ploceus cucullatus) are major avian pests associated with significant cereal losses in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Southwest Nigeria, their colonial roosting behaviour and flock-foraging patterns pose substantial threats to maize production. However, the influence of environmental factors on the damage caused by weaverbirds to cereal crops in Nigeria is underreported. This study assessed the relationship between the distance of roosting points and maize damage levels in farmers’ fields within the Sasa-Ajibode agroecosystem of the University of Ibadan. Four 30 m transects, spaced 5 m apart and positioned 7 m from the nearest farms, were used to assess maize-ear damage on a 0–2 scale. Roosting colonies were identified, and population estimates were conducted through nest counts. Results showed that approximately 25% of maize cobs were damaged at 10 m from roosting sites, aligning with farmers’ reports of substantial losses. A total of 124 birds were estimated from 71 nests located on Bambusa vulgaris, Elaeis guineensis and Ficus spp. The findings revealed significant spatial influence of roosting proximity on crop depredation, which underscores the need for affordable, coordinated management approaches, such as automated noise repellents and wind-driven scarers. These results have implications for maize protection strategies and food security within peri-urban Ibadan.

Keywords: Village weaver bird, Crop raiding, Maize production, Crop loss, Roosting, Nesting, Pest status