Baya Weavers, known in Thai as nok krajaab thammada (นกกระจาบธรรมดา), are a
widespread species of weaverbird, fairly commonly distributed across South and
Southeast Asia, where they inhabit open country, such as marshlands, grasslands,
cultivated areas, scrub and secondary growths, usually near fresh or brackish
water. Its scientific name is Ploceus philippinus, though despite this name, it
is not found in the Philippines. In many ways, it is similar to the Asian Golden
Weaver. They are thick-billed and males have a grey to black bill, a speckled
dark brown to black face and throat, tawny-buff underparts and brown streaked
upperparts. Females are similar, but have a pink bill, a brownish face and
throat, and have an overall much paler yellow. During the breeding season the
underparts, rump and crown of the male becomes bright yellow. Their retort
shaped nests, which are often built hanging over water, have a long tubular
entrance. They are woven with 20 to 60 centimeter long strips of paddy leaves,
swamp grasses or strips torn from palm fronds. To complete a nest, a male bird
may make up to 500 trips to collect the nesting materials. The nest is initially
built by the male in order to attract a mating partner, but once the structure
has been approved, the female will move in and aid in its completion. Once the
nest is finished, the male will built another structure nearby to guard the main
nest, which is reserved for the female and their offspring. The male's dwelling,
also seen in the video as the more rounded structures without a funnel entrance,
consists of a just a roof that is shaped somewhat like an islamic Turban helmet
over a horizontal bar, to perch on and from where he can guard the nest. The
birds and nesting colonies in this video were filmed in the vicinity of Wat Suwannaphum
Phutthachayanti (วัดสุวรรณภูมิพุทธชยันตี) and the Nong Preua
Bike Lane
(หนองปรือไบค์เลน) in Samut Prakan (สมุทรปราการ).
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