Baya Weaver

The Baya Weaver is found across South and Southeast Asia. They are social and gregarious birds. They forage in flocks for seeds, both on the plants and on the ground. Nests are built mainly in colonies. Nests are often built from thorny Acacia or palm trees and hang over open water. The nests are partially built before the males begin to display to passing females by flapping their wings and calling while hanging from their nests. The females inspect the nest and signal their acceptance of a male. Once a male and a female are paired, the male goes on to complete the nest by adding the entrance tunnel. Males are almost solely in charge of nest building, though their female partners may join in giving the finishing touches, particularly on the interiors. Females may modify the interiors or add blobs of mud. Studies have shown that nest location is more important than nest structure for the female when it selects the nest and mate. These are sparrow-sized and in their non-breeding plumage, both males and females resemble female house sparrows. They have a stout conical bill and a short square tail. Non-breeding males and females look alike, dark brown streaked fulvous buff above, plain whitish fulvous below, eyebrow long and buff coloured, bill is horn coloured and no mask. Breeding males have a bright yellow crown, dark brown mask, blackish brown bill, upper parts are dark brown streaked with yellow, with a yellow breast and cream buff below.