Cuttack: About 11,676 weaver birds were spotted in the state during the latest baya weaver bird count coordinated by state chapter of the Indian Bird Conservation Network (IBCN).

During the 2016 census, 9,000 weaver birds were spotted in the state.

"The census was part of IBCN's pan-India count under Bombay Natural History Society's Common Bird Monitoring Programme in June to find out the number of Baya weaver birds in the country," IBCN-Odisha coordinator Monalisha Bhujabal said.

Ornithologists are concerned as weaver birds are reducing nationwide due to growing human population and urban development.

"Sightings of weaver birds were recorded and reported from selected sites located in Khurda, Cuttack, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Mayurbhanj, Kendrapara, Keonjhar and Puri districts," Bhujabal said.

Odisha is home to three species of weaver birds - baya weaver (common baya or Indian weaver), streaked weaver and black-breasted weaver. The sparrow-sized weaver birds are highly gregarious, and are popularly known for excellent nest-weaving skills. This is the only species that has suspended pendulous nests built in colonies, usually above water.

"During the census, 852 nests of weavers were also counted. The maximum number of nests were of Baya Weaver (Ploceus philippinus). It was observed that due to late arrival of monsoons in the state, nest building activity by weavers was also late," Bhujabal said.

Direct sighting method was used for the counting. The weaver nests were reportedly spotted on palm, banyan and other trees at Munduli, Baripada, Balipadar, Bhetnoi, Banki, Bhubaneswar, Tangi, Nayagarh, Banpur, Chilika, Mangaljodi, Anandpur and Jankia during the count in the eight districts.

Ornithologists feel most of the weaver birds, which were once a common species across India are slowly undergoing a population decline with the increasing loss and modification of the grasslands in human-dominated landscape such as agriculture farms, factories, canals and roads and rapid increase in human population.

"There is a need to monitor this one common species to gather information on their population in India. The census figures will help in devising strategies and inputs for policy formulation that might answer the reasons for the reduction in numbers of weaver birds. It will also help to provide safe habitat for weaver birds and also ensure their conservation," said Nanda Kishore Bhujabal from IBCN Odisha chapter coordinated the count in Nayagarh, Ganjam and Khurda districts.

Weaver bird species are protected and listed in Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Sulabh Sethi from IBCN Odisha chapter coordinated the count in Cuttack, Kendrapada and Puri districts. The findings from Odisha will be reported to the Bombay Natural History Society and Odisha government, IBCN-Odisha Chapter coordinator said. An ornithologist said Baya Weaver birds feed on grains, seeds and insects and had high-pitched voice.

Breeding colonies are very noisy with lot of activity, some males bringing nesting material, while some males weave thin threads with their beaks into retort-shaped structures. During the breeding season between April and August, the baya males acquire a distinctive yellow breeding plumage.