Baya Weaver is one of the weaverbird species occurring across south & south-east Asia. The species has an elaborate and unique nesting behaviour. Male colonies come up on suitable trees with several males weaving their half-made nests. These colonies are visited by wandering females and when this happens, males sit next to their nests, chirping and fluttering their wings to attract and invite her. She visits several nests, being very selective and rejecting most of the nests before accepting one that she thinks is the result of utmost craftsmanship. She has to choose wisely, for it’s her duty to pass on the best of the available genes to the next generation. Competition for the males is tough and often entire colonies are rejected by the females. Eventually, when she accepts a mate, they together complete the remaining part of the weaving.
This singing male Baya Weaver was recorded by Jim’s Jungle Retreat Naturalist team recently at a colony site not too far away from the Retreat.
Unique breeding behaviour of Baya Weaver
