Ecological Factors Influencing Nest‐Site Selection and Colony Size in Village Weavers Ploceus cucullatus

ABSTRACT Understanding the ecological factors influencing breeding site selection in animals could offer valuable insights into how species navigate the trade‐offs between predator avoidance, resource availability, habitat requirements and human influence. In this study, we investigated the factors influencing the choice of nesting site and colony size in Village Weavers ( Ploceus cucullatus ) between wild habitats and human settlements on the Jos Plateau, Nigeria. We collected data from 41 colonies to examine how variables such as nesting substrate, nesting tree height, nesting tree size (girth), tree density around the colony, percent canopy cover, distance to accessible water, and habitat influence colony size. Our results reveal a divergence in nest‐site preferences across habitats. Colonies in wild environments had a higher preference for larger, taller trees and more densely vegetated areas, while colonies in human settlements were more strongly associated with proximity to water sources, reflecting the influence of nearby seasonal farms rich in grains and vegetables. These findings show a context‐dependent nesting strategy in Village Weavers, with wild colonies favoring sites that offer structural protection, while colonies around human settlements prioritizing access to food sources. The study shows how human‐modified landscapes can reshape nesting preferences in adaptable bird species and shows the fine‐scale ecological factors that influence nesting decisions in synanthropic birds across land‐use gradient in sub‐Saharan Africa.