Baya Weavers do build odd-shaped nests

Posted by BESG on 9 September 09, Wednesday
Contributed by Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS & Forest Ang

An earlier post discussed the strange nests built probably by weaver birds and speculated on the possible reasons why these birds constructed such non-functional nests. An appeal via BESG’s e-forum resulted in a response by Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS of Perak, Malaysia.

His images show the many unusual nests built by Baya Weavers (Ploceus philippinus infortunatus) photographed at Gunung Lang, Ipoh City, Perak, Malaysia on 22nd June 2008 (above) and 31th August 2009 (left).

Apparently at this location some male Baya Weavers repeatedly build odd-shaped nests (above). “Every nest looked odd - double attachment, direct attachments and building on old nests – function over beauty and genes, I guess,” added Amar. “Went back recently to the same site and saw more unusual nests, like this extended elongated one (left).”

Thanks to Amar’s keen sense of observations and most importantly his images, we now know that not all male Baya Weavers can build a perfect nest at the first try, or even subsequent tries. However, we still do not know whether this behaviour is due to faulty genes, lack of experience or both.

All images above by Amar-Singh HSS (Dato, Dr)

PS: We subsequently received a note from Forest Ang on 6th September 2009 together with two images (below): “I too found two strange nests most probably by weaver in Penang. They were about 5-6 feet high on a cassia tree with bushes around. I took the photos on 7 Aug 09. Were they on training during the month of August?”

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