In South Africa, the Common Social Weaver showcases remarkable teamwork by building massive, long-lasting nests. These intricate structures, housing hundreds of birds, can endure for over a century and include personal chambers, communal areas, and corridors with defenses against predators like snakes.

Some nests, weighing over a ton and reaching 8 meters in length, provide a stable microclimate, shielding birds from harsh desert conditions. However, challenges like predator breaches or structural collapses due to poor support pose risks. Despite these, the weaver birds’ architectural brilliance highlights nature’s incredible adaptability.