With 818 Baya Weavers, Maharashtra stands third in bird’s first count

Mumbai city news: Experts said that though they did not have a benchmark figure earlier but believed that the number of Baya Weavers is declining

India is home to 6,354 Baya Weavers, ascertained the first count for the bird held last year across 18 states of the country. While Odisha topped the list with 3,260 Baya Weavers, followed by Chhattisgarh with 1,138, Maharashtra ranked third with 818 birds, said the study. Tamil Nadu stood last on the list as only one bird was counted there.

This was the first time that data was collated by BNHS for the Baya Weaver’s conservation. (HT)

Experts said that though they did not have a benchmark figure earlier but believed that the number of Baya Weavers is declining. “The population of all species of bayas are declining in the country. However, we did not know the exact number because there was no benchmark figure. Now, at least we have a basic count of the birds to be able to take conservation measures,” said Dr Deepak Apte, director, BNHS.

The count for the sparrow-sized birds, which build elaborate nests, was initiated by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) as a citizen-science study between June 5 and June 12, 2016. Birdwatchers, ornithologists, NGOs, forest officials and nature lovers sent in their entries for the count.

This was the first time that data was collated by BNHS for the Baya Weaver’s conservation. “This species is widely distributed but our observation has confirmed a decline in their nest density. We hope more awareness will boost conservation,” said Dr Apte.

A total of 3,401 nests were spotted in the country. The weaver is a bird species with suspended drooping nests built in colonies. India is home to four species of weaver birds or bayas: Baya Weaver (Common Baya or Indian Weaver), Streaked Weaver, Black-breasted Weaver (Black-throated Weaver) and Finn’s Weaver (Finn’s Baya or Yellow Weaver). All Indian weaver bird species are protected in Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.