The baya weaver is a weaverbird found across the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Flocks of these birds are found in grasslands, cultivated areas, scrub and secondary growth and they are best known for their hanging retort shaped nests woven from leaves. These nest colonies are usually found on thorny trees or palm fronds and the nests are often built near water or hanging over water where predators cannot reach easily. They are widespread and common within their range but are prone to local, seasonal movements mainly in response to rain and food availability.
Region
Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Found widely across India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and parts of Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. They favor open country such as grasslands, rice paddies, harvested fields, scrub, and village edges. Colonies are frequently established near wetlands, canals, and tanks, where overhanging branches provide safe nesting sites. They avoid dense forests and high mountains but thrive in agricultural mosaics and secondary growth.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Male baya weavers are famous for weaving intricate, hanging retort-shaped nests from strips of grass and palm leaves, often suspended over water to deter predators. Females inspect multiple half-built nests and choose mates based on nest quality and displays. Colonies can include dozens of nests clustered on thorny trees or palms. They often shift locally with rains, tracking seed and insect abundance.
Baya weaver (male) building its nest (female inside the nest)
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Highly colonial breeders; males construct elaborate nests and perform display flights and calls to attract females. Polygynous mating is common, and colonies are often sited on thorny trees or palms near water. Both sexes help feed the young after hatching, and colonies can relocate seasonally with resource availability.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
A fast, buzzy chatter with metallic notes, interspersed with sharp chips and wheezy trills. Males become especially vocal around colonies during nest-building and courtship, producing a continuous, energetic chorus.
Plumage
Breeding males show a bright yellow crown and nape, dark mask and throat, with warm brown, heavily streaked upperparts and paler buff underparts. Non-breeding males and females are duller, sandy-buff with streaked backs and a pale supercilium. Plumage is compact with neat, smooth feathering typical of weavers.
Diet
Primarily seeds and grains from grasses and cultivated crops such as rice and millet. They also take a variety of insects—especially during the breeding season—including caterpillars, beetles, and orthopterans to provide protein for nestlings. Occasional nectar sipping and gleaning of small invertebrates from foliage are reported.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in open fields, grasslands, stubble, and edges of wetlands. Often forages in mixed flocks on the ground or low vegetation, and visits grain stores or harvested plots in agricultural areas.
