This is the last post in my baya weaver series. The female baya weaver when leaving then nest shoots straight out and flys off. The male on the other hand hangs onto the bottom of the nest upside down and surveys the surroundings for a moment. Then he drops off and flys away. In the first frame he has just released his grip, and in the next frame 1/10s later he is airborne.
Con You have had some fun with these guys. Some years back when I wanted to write an article there was not much to be found on the Baya weaver. One article categorically said the male does not partake in feeding the nest......as you demonstrate that is clearly incorrect. One nest I observed the male was the only one feeding the nest although I have also seen the opposite. Good series. GG
I guess there's enuff observation chalked up to conclude the male always have the survey behaviour whereas the female always swoops off straight and its not just random. Really commendable stuff which also adds to our knowledge. Well captured. rgds D.
12. "RE: Exit Strategy"
In response to message #11
Thanks for all the comments, glad you enjoyed the series as much as I enjoyed taking the pics.
For your reference you may wish to read QUADER, S. 2003. Nesting and mating decisions and their consequences in the Baya Weaverbird Ploceus philippinus. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Florida, Gainesville. at this link http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/UFE0001063. You will probably finish it just in time for next year's season.
I was interested to learn from this paper that nesting success is only around 30% for the Baya Weaver. And, now listed as Uncommon on the Nature Society (Singapore) wild bird checklist (due to habitat loss). Since this species has a difficult enough time as it is raising it's young, as photographers please be sure to take nothing but pictures & leave nothing but footprints !
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