Baya Weavers
Posted by admin on 22 May 06, Monday
Contributed by - see article -
In Singapore, Baya Weavers (Ploceus philippinus) build their nests in colonies of 20-30, preferring coconut palms or low trees. The nest is expertly weaved from long thin strands of leaf blades that can come from the Guinea grass (Panicum maximum), strips of palm fronds or other tough fibres. A completed nest looks like an upside down flask with a downward pointing entrance chute. Within the swollen portion is the nesting area.
The nest has been described as: “a stocking hung by the toe, the heel enlarged to receive the eggs, while the entrance and exit are made through the leg.”
The nest hangs on a long thin structure (up to a metre long) tightly woven with grass leaves, swinging freely in the wind. This ensures that it is not easily accessible to potential predators, either from above or from neighbouring branches. Thus they are attached to the terminal of palm fronds or from the ends of branches. The birds recycle old nests, repairing any damage before reusing them. This can be easily detected by the colour of the fresh and dried grass blades.
The male bird builds the nest half way after which he tries to seduce the female by his courtship displays. If the female is interested, she will examine the uncompleted nest, after which he will complete building it or both will work together.
Sometimes the birds may bring in lumps of wet clay that are stuck to the interior wall of the nest.
Once the female lays her eggs, the male will move on and build another nest, leaving the female totally to herself to incubate the eggs and raise the chicks. However, there are reports that this may not always be so - males have been observed bringing insects for the nestlings.
Text by YC and images by KC Tsang.
R. Subaraj has this to add: Have you heard the story about the female Baya Weaver snipping off the connecting cord if not satisfied after inspection, so the male has to start from scratch? Do you know if this is true for sure.
An excellent account of the nesting behaviour of Baya Weavers by Graeme Guy of the Nature Photographic Society (Singapore) can be viewed here.
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Categories: Nesting
Comment by Hai~Ren
Made Monday, 22 of May , 2006 at 2:16 am
I’ve seen this happen in documentaries of African species of weaver. However, I myself have not seen Baya weavers (strangely), so I cannot verify this claim.
Comment by felicia
Made Monday, 22 of May , 2006 at 2:38 pm
If I’m not wrong, there’s one such nest being built half-way outside my kitchen window.. on the mop I hanged outside!!
The 2 birds which frequently fly back fits the description and definitely look like the ones in the pic.
I’m happily watching the bird (should be the male one as mentioned) building the nest at the expanse of not being able to mop my floor.
Fine.. I’ll just get a new mop..
Comment by YC
Made Monday, 22 of May , 2006 at 3:03 pm
How about recording the stages and write an account for us? I am sure people would be interested.
Comment by felicia
Made Monday, 22 of May , 2006 at 3:10 pm
ooops.. sorry.. i cont reading ur blog n realise that it can be olive backed sunbird instead.. 
i’ll try to find an oppotunity to capture its pic n hopefully u can help me to identify the bird?
Good Lord.. I’m a poor identifier of birds n humans as well.. 
Comment by YC
Made Monday, 22 of May , 2006 at 3:18 pm
No problem Felicia. Whatever the bird, it is worth recording its behaviour and nest building activities. There is a lot we do not know about bird behaviour and prople like you can contribute to our knowledge.
Pingback by Bird Ecology Study Group » Anatomy of a nest: Baya Weaver
Made Sunday, 25 of February , 2007 at 8:00 pm
[...] Baya Weavers (Ploceus philippinus) build their nests attached to branches of trees and shrubs and even fronds of palms. These nests are expertly weaved from long thin strands of leaf blades that can come from the Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) (above), strips of palm fronds or other tough fibres - see earlier post. [...]
