Baya Weaver Nest

Description:

The Baya Weaver (Ploceus philippinus) is a weaverbird found across South and Southeast Asia. Flocks of these birds are best known for their hanging retort shaped woven nests constructed by males . The males take about 18 days to construct the complete nest with the intermediate "helmet stage" taking about 8 days. The nests are partially built before the males begin to display to passing females by flapping their wings and calling while hanging from their nests. The females inspect the nest and signal their acceptance of a male. Once a male and a female are paired, the male goes on to complete the nest by adding the entrance tunnel. Males are almost solely in charge of nest building, though their female partners may join in giving the finishing touches, particularly on the interiors. Females may modify the interiors or add blobs of mud. Both males and females are polygamous. Males build many partial nests and begin courting females. The male finishes the nest to completion only after finding a mate. The the female lays about 2 to 4 white eggs and incubates them for about 14–17 day . After mating with a female the male typically court other females at other partially constructed nests.