The forest officials of Bhitarkanika National Park recently sighted about 100 Baya weavers’ nests on the coconut trees located at Dangamala Crocodile Research Center.Ranger of Kanika forest Akhaya Kumar Nayak said though the population of baya weaver is dwindling, but the Dangamala crocodile research center has grown a favourite nesting place for the birds as every year hundreds of Baya weaver nests are found in coconut trees.
According to Nayak, the baya weaver (Ploceus philippinus) is found across South and Southeast Asia. They inhabit in grassland, cultivated areas, scrub and secondary growths usually near fresh or brackish water. They are widespread and common within their distribution area but are prone to local, seasonal movement. During the breeding season, the males begin building nests. The males take about 18 days to construct a nest with the partly built ‘helmet stage’ taking about eight days. The nests are partially built when the males display to passing females by flapping their wings and calling while hanging to their nests.