Baya Weaver

The Baya Weaver (Ploceus philippinus) is a small bird, comparable in size to the sparrow, measuring about 15 cm (5.9 in) in length. In their non-breeding plumage, both sexes resemble the female House Sparrow, with a stout conical bill and a short square tail.

Identification Tips

During the non-breeding season, males and females are similar in appearance, with dark brown streaked fulvous buff above and a plain whitish fulvous below. They have a long and buff-coloured eyebrow, and their bill is horn-coloured without a mask. Breeding males, however, transform with a bright yellow crown, dark brown mask, and a blackish brown bill. Their upper parts are dark brown streaked with yellow, and they have a yellow breast with cream buff below.

Habitat

Baya Weavers are found in a variety of habitats including grasslands, cultivated areas, scrub, and secondary growth.

Distribution

This species is widespread across the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is common within its range but may move locally in response to seasonal changes, particularly rain and food availability.

Behaviour

Baya Weavers are social and gregarious, often seen foraging in flocks for seeds on plants and on the ground. They perform intricate flight manoeuvres in tight formations. These birds are also known to glean grains from harvested fields and may sometimes be considered agricultural pests. They roost in reed-beds near water bodies and exhibit seasonal movements influenced by food availability.

Song & Calls

Their vocalizations include a continuous "chit-chit-…" which may end in a wheezy "cheee-eee-ee" produced by males in chorus. A softer call is heard outside the breeding season.

Breeding

The breeding season coincides with the monsoons. Males construct elaborate hanging nests, retort-shaped with a central chamber and a long tube leading to a side entrance. Nests are woven from leaves and grasses and are often situated over water or on thorny trees to deter predators. Both males and females may be polygamous, with males building several partial nests to attract females.

Similar Species

The Baya Weaver can be confused with other weaverbirds or sparrows, but its distinctive breeding plumage and nest architecture are usually good distinguishing features.

Diet and Feeding

Their diet consists of seeds from wild grasses and crops like rice, as well as insects, small frogs, geckos, and molluscs, particularly when feeding young.

Conservation status

The Baya Weaver is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating it is not at immediate risk of widespread decline.