Scaly-Breasted Munia
Lonchura punctulata
Aves › Passeriformes › Estrildidae › Lonchura
Conservation status: least_concern
This sparrow-sized finch is native to tropical Asia. It is known in the pet trade by names such as nutmeg mannikin or spice finch. The bird eats mainly grass seeds apart from berries and small insects.
How To Identify
It is a small to medium-sized, stocky finch with overall dull brown or rufous plumage. Males are distinguished by the namesake conspicuous patch of yellow-and-brown 'scaly' markings on their chest.
Habitat
It typically inhabits grasslands, rice paddies, cultivated areas, and open scrubland with scattered trees across tropical and subtropical Asia.
Behaviour
These birds are highly gregarious and nomadic, moving in large flocks to follow food availability, and they roost communally in dense reed beds or tall grass at night.
Native Range
The species is endemic to Asia and occurs from India and Sri Lanka east to Indonesia and the Philippines (where it is called mayang pakíng). The scaly-breasted munia is native to Asia, occurring from India and Sri Lanka east to Indonesia and the Philippines.
Did You Know?
The Scaly-breasted Munia can consume up to 40% of its body weight in seeds daily, and flocks sometimes number in the thousands, creating spectacular murmurations as they feed together.
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