The Indian Bird Conservation Network (IBCN) and the Wild Orissa are organising a ‘Weaver Count 2019 Odisha’ and have urged all bird lovers and citizens of the State to take part in it to record and report the sightings of weaver birds during June in the State.
IBCN Odisha State coordinator Monalisa Bhujabal said they have been conducting the weaver bird count since 2016 with hundreds of volunteers participating from across the country.
During 2016, 2017 and 2018, Odisha stood first amongst all the States in the country in weaver numbers, she informed.
Weavers are highly social birds and are known for their nest-weaving skills.
Three species of weavers, belonging to family Ploceidae, are resident in Odisha and they are Baya Weaver Ploceus Philippinus, Streaked Weaver Ploceus Manyar and Black-Breasted Weaver or Black-Throated Weaver Ploceus Benghalensis.
She said this year Odisha experienced a devastating cyclone and large numbers of trees and plants have been lost and the count would help in understanding the cyclone’s impact on weavers.