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The Baya
Weaver (Ploceus philippinus) is a weaverbird found across South 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, three 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 travancoreensis.
These are sparrow-sized (15 cm) 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 (unstreaked) 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.
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Baya Weavers are
social and gregarious birds. They forage in flocks for seeds, both on the
plants
and on the ground. Flocks fly in close formations, often performing
complicated manoeuvres. They are known to glean paddy and other grain in
harvested fields, and occasionally damage
ripening crops and are therefore sometimes considered as
pests.
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