Manoj R. Borkar and Neelam Komarpant
Abstract
This is the first study on the nesting ecology of the Baya Weaver bird (Ploceus philippinus, Linn) in Goa. In this state, the bird nests in small colonies of 5 to 24 retort shaped dangling nests, suspended most often from the pinnae of coconut palm fronds or less often from tips of pliant branches of trees overhanging a water body. The preferred host trees for nest placement have been recorded.Sequential progress of nest construction has been monitored, as also subtle aspects of nest architecture upto the helmet stage, have been studied.The mystery of the lateral wall masonry has been touched upon through a morphometric analysis of 100 nests.The highlight of this investigation is the quantitative analysis of anomalous nest designs from the 5 talukas of South Goa district, that have occurred as a manifestation of architectural abrrations. 13 distinct types of deviations from the archetypical nest design are recorded in this study.An attempt has been made here to evaluate the survival value of such abnormal nests. Conservation status of the bird has been assessed in the fight of contemporary threats to its habitat.