Nest colonies of Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus (Linnaeus, 1766) on overhead power transmission cables in the agricultural landscape of Cuddalore and Villupuram districts (Tamil Nadu) and Puducherry, India

Abstract

Nesting habits of Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus with specific reference to overhead power transmission cables was studied between April and November 2021 in the agrarian landscape of 10 villages covering Cuddalore and Villupuram districts (Tamil Nadu), and Puducherry. A total of 408 nests of various stages (wad stage-35, ring stage-21, helmet stage-227, egg-chamber closed stage-49, complete nests-22, and abnormal nests-54) and 411 birds were enumerated on 25 nest colonies. The number of nests in each colony ranged from 1 to 82. Baya Weavers had selected power cables as nesting sites despite the availability of three nest-supporting trees (n= 2,255), such as Cocos nucifera, Borassus flabellifer, and Phoenix sylvestris within 500 m of nesting cables. Birds used leaves of sugarcane Saccharum officinarum, Indian Date Palm Phoenix sylvestris, and Narrow-leaf Cattail Typha angustifolia as a source of fibres for the construction of nests. Twenty-three out of 25 nest colonies were found on power cables running over sugarcane crops. Abnormal nests constituted 13.23% (n= 54) of the total nests and 92.91% (n= 223) helmet stage nests had clay deposits on the inner walls. A total of 285 fallen nests in various stages of development were scattered on the ground. There were opportunistic sightings of avian predators, such as House Crow Corvus splendens, Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos, Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda, and Shikra Accipiter badius found perched on power cables bearing nests and caused damages to eight nests.