14-4-2024 KHAJURAHO, INDIA - BAYA WEAVER (Ploceus philippinus)

 The baya weaver (Ploceus philippinus) is a weaverbird found across the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Flocks of these birds are found in grasslands, cultivated areas, scrub and secondary growth and they are best known for their hanging retort shaped nests woven from leaves. These nest colonies are usually found on thorny trees or palm fronds and the nests are often built near water or hanging over water where predators cannot reach easily. They are widespread and common within their range but are prone to local, seasonal movements mainly in response to rain and food availability.

Among the population variations, five subspecies are recognized. The nominate race philippinus is found through much of mainland India while burmanicus is found eastwards into Southeast Asia. The population in southwest India is darker above and referred to as subspecies travancoreensisw.

Baya weavers are polygynous and don’t form pairs; males build many partial nests and begin courting females. The breeding season takes place during the monsoons. Baya weavers nest in colonies typically of up to 20-30 individuals, close to the source of food, nesting material, and water. Males build pendulous nests that are retort-shaped, with a central nesting chamber and a long vertical tube that leads to a side entrance to the chamber. The nests are woven with long strips of paddy leaves, rough grasses, and long strips torn from palm fronds. Each strip can be between 20 and 60 cm (7.9 and 23.6 in) in length. To complete a nest a male takes about 18 days and makes up to 500 trips.

 The birds use their strong beaks to strip and collect the strands and to weave and knot them while building their nests. The nests are often built hanging over water from palm trees and often suspended from thorny Acacias and in some cases from telephone wires. The females inspect the nest and signal their acceptance of a male; after that, the male goes on to complete the nest by adding the entrance tunnel. Females may modify the interiors or add blobs of mud. The female lays about 2-4 white eggs and incubates them for about 14 to 17 days. Males may sometimes assist in feeding the chicks. The chicks leave the nest after about 17 days. After mating with a female the male typically court other females at other partially constructed nests. Young birds leave the nest in juvenile plumage which is replaced in their first molt after about 4-6 months. The young usually disperse to new locations not far from their nest. Females start to breed after a year while males take half a year longer.