Baya Weaver Bird

Hello once again; it has been a long break over the Dassera weekend, during which I had a lovely visit to Nannaj Sanctuary, organized by India Nature Tours. Nannaj, as all are aware, is home to the Great Indian Bustard and the Black Buck. We were blessed to have a glimpse of the rare bird and also several common species. More details on the visit shall follow on one of my future posts.

The Baya Weaver Birds are quite similar in size and appearance in the non-breeding season to the common sparrow and can often be mistaken for it by a lay person. They have thick bills and feed mainly on seeds, grain and cereal.

During the breeding season in the monsoon, the crown of male turns distinctly yellow and is easily identifiable. 

Large flocks of the birds may be observed near cultivated fields or open grassland, or on telegraph or electric cables. They nest on trees overhanging small streams or waterways. The nests are elaborately woven by male birds with grass stalks and have an opening at the bottom. No photographs of nests have been snapped - this is one of the ground rules of Nature India on all their organized birding tours.