With the onset of the monsoon, the baya weaver is busy weaving its hanging retort-shaped nests.

The nest, woven with long strips of paddy leaves, rough grasses and long strips torn from palm fronds, is usually built by the male baya weaver in an effort to attract its female counterpart for the upcoming breeding season.

The nests are partially built before the males begin to display to passing females by flapping their wings and calling while hanging from their nests. The females then inspect the nest, built mainly in colonies, and signal their acceptance of a male. The male finishes the nest only after finding a mate.

The baya weaver, known as ‘Top Chara’ is a species of weaverbird found across the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia.

Here are some photographs of the baya weavers building nests captured by Post’s photographers Deepak KC in Kurintar, Chitwan and Hemanta Shrestha in Kathmandu.