Kler, Tejdeep KaurSukhpreet Kaur2021-08-232021-08-232021Sukhpreet Kaur(2021). Population status, feeding behaviour and breeding biology of Baya Weaver Bird (Ploceus philippinus) in Punjab (Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation). Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810174245The present study on population status, feeding behaviour and breeding biology of Baya Weaver Bird was conducted for the period of February 2018 to January 2020. Three villages per district namely village Baranhara (nesting colony I), Raghunath enclave (nesting colony II) and Rattan (nesting colony III) in district Ludhiana; village Fatehpur (nesting colony IV), Mukarabpur (nesting colony V) and Manjitpur (nesting colony VI) in district Rupnagar; village Haraj (nesting colony VII), Wan (nesting colony VIII) and Toot (nesting colony IX) in district Ferozepur were selected. Relative abundance of Baya Weaver Bird ranged from 11.09% to 16.07% at all the selected locations. Present study on feeding and foraging behaviour of Baya Weaver Bird revealed the feeding on different crops (rice, wheat, pearl millet, sorghum) at different stages. During breeding season they fed their youngones on termites, grasshoppers, beetles, flies, moths, bees and wasps. Breeding season of Baya Weaver Bird was found to be ranged from May to September during both years. Nesting colonies of Baya Weaver Bird was found on trees Date Palm (77.77%), Royal Palm (11.11%) and Fishtail Palm (11.11%); which were located in residential premises (44.44%), village outskirts (22.22%) in crop fields (33.33%) and water bodies (77.77%). Chronological data showed the initiation of nesting varied from 2nd week of May to 3rd week of June during the year 2018 and 2019 at all selected locations. First and second batch of fledglings of Baya Weaver Bird were observed from 4th week of July to end of September month during both the breeding seasons. Clutch size was recorded 2 to 4 eggs per nest and nestling period was ranged from 13- 23 days. Hatching success and nestling success was ranged between 75.00% - 100.00% and 50.00% to 100.00% respectively. Thirteen eggs were examined for the morphometrical analysis which showed the average weight of eggs 1.77±0.13 g; maximum mean length (21.25±0.55 mm) and maximum mean width (13.52±0.55 mm) was recorded at location II and location I respectively. Six vertebrate predators (three avian species and three reptile species) were observed damaging and predating on the nests. Abandoned nest of Baya Weaver Bird were utilised by secondary nesters namely Indian Silverbill, Scaly-breasted Munia, House Sparrow and Yellow Wasp. Pesticide analysis for 16 organophosphates had shown the presence of Chloropyriphos and Triazophos in the excreta samples. Fifteen heavy metals were analyzed, As, Pb, Cd and Cr were recorded above normal range and below toxic range. Present study implicated that plantations of palm trees are required to be undertaken in agricultural habitat would help in establishing colonies of Baya Weaver Bird and to exploit their insect biocontrol potential during their breeding season. Present study provides valuable information on habitat structure, breeding and feeding activities of Baya Weaver Bird for the formulation of its species specific conservation programme.EnglishThesis