English: The baya weaver (Ploceus philippinus) Home (Nest) in India Maharashtra name [Sugran]
Weaver birds prefer long grasses to build their nests preferably green, just before it ripens as it weaves better and when dried out is quite strong. They also know instinctively which materials to use, favoring fresh green blades of grass or strips of palm leaf. They use a variety of plant materials to build their nests, including strips of grass, leaves, twigs and roots. A weaver bird has a strong, conical beak, which it uses to cut blades of grass that it will use in nest–building. It can tie real knots in nest material with its beak and its feet. By tying knots, the bird makes the nest more secure. The nest of a weaver bird often has a narrow tube–like entrance that opens upside down. It is hard for a predator to get inside the nest. The weaver bird will often build its nest on a tree branch that hangs over the edges of a river. This also helps to protect the nest from predators. While all the weavers of the genus Ploceus are generally similar, there are subtle differences between the species – in appearance, in nest design and in social behavior.