Spotted munia, Nutmeg mannikin, Spice finch
The Scaly-breasted munia (Lonchura punctulata) is a sparrow-sized estrildid finch native to tropical Asia. Its name is based on the distinct scale-like feather markings on the breast and belly. The Scaly-breasted munia has been introduced into many other parts of the world, and feral populations have established in Puerto Rico and Hispaniola, as well as parts of Australia, and the United States of America, with sightings in California.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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HerbivoreA herbivore is an animal anatomically and physiologically adapted to eating plant material, for example, foliage, for the main component of its die...
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GranivoreSeed predation, often referred to as granivory, is a type of plant-animal interaction in which granivores (seed predators) feed on the seeds of pla...
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FrugivoreA frugivore is an animal that thrives mostly on raw fruits or succulent fruit-like produce of plants such as roots, shoots, nuts, and seeds. Approx...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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InsectivoresAn insectivore is a carnivorous plant or animal that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of e...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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OviparousOviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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ArborealArboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some anima...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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MonogamyMonogamy is a form of relationship in which both the male and the female has only one partner. This pair may cohabitate in an area or territory for...
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Highly socialHighly social animals are those which are highly interactive with other members of their species. They live in large groups, nest in colonies, and ...
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FlockingFlocking birds are those that tend to gather to forage or travel collectively. Avian flocks are typically associated with migration. Flocking also ...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe adult Scaly-breasted munia has a stubby dark bill typical of grain-eating birds, brown upperparts, and a dark brown head. The underparts are white with dark scale markings. The sexes are similar, although males have darker markings on the underside and a darker throat than females. Immature birds have pale brown upperparts, lack the dark head found in adults, and have uniform buff underparts that can be confused with juveniles of other munia species such as the Tricolored munia (Lonchura malacca) and the Black-throated munia (Lonchura kelaarti).
Scaly-breasted munias are found from India and Sri Lanka east to Indonesia and the Philippines. They inhabit a range of habitats but are usually close to water and grassland. In India, they are especially common in paddy fields. They are found mainly on the plains but can be observed in the foothills of the Himalayas. In Pakistan, they are restricted to a narrow region from Swat in the west to Lahore, avoiding the desert zone, and then occurring again in India east of an area between Ludhiana and Mount Abu. These birds have also been observed in Kashmir, though this is rare.
Scaly-breasted munias are social birds that form flocks of as many as 100 birds. They are active during the day. When foraging they may search for food singly or search for others that have found food and join them. Scaly-breasted munias communicate with calls that include a short whistle, variations of ‘kitty-kitty-kitty’, and a sharp chipping alarm note. They sometimes flick their tails and wings vertically or horizontally while hopping about. When roosting communally, Scaly-breasted munias sit side by side in close contact with each other. The outermost bird often jostles towards the center. Birds in a flock sometimes preen each other, with the soliciting bird usually showing its chin. Allopreening is usually limited to the face and neck. Scaly-breasted munias are rarely hostile but they will sometimes quarrel without any ritualized posturing.
Scaly-breasted munias are herbivores (granivores, frugivores) and carnivores (insectivores). They feed mainly on grass seeds, small berries, and insects. Like some other munias, they may also feed on algae, a rich protein source, prior to the breeding season.
Scaly-breasted munias are monogamous and form pairs. Their breeding season is during the summer rainy season (mainly June to August and also in October season in India) but can vary. The song of the male is very soft but complex and variable, audible only at close range. When singing the male sits erect with the head feathers raised. Courtship includes a sequence of actions. The first involves either the male or female playing with nest material. As soon as a bird has arranged the nest material in its bill, it begins to fly around in a zigzag path. Once a bird lands close to its partner, the male bends towards the female and wipes its bill. The male then sings with movements of the body. The nest of these birds is a large domed structure loosely woven from blades of grass, bamboo, or other leaves with a side entrance and is placed in a tree or under the eaves of a house. Females usually lay a clutch of 4-6 eggs, but it can be up to 10. Both parents build the nest and incubate the eggs, which hatch in 10 to 16 days. Both parents will also feed their chicks for approximately 3 weeks.
Scaly-breasted munias are not globally threatened, however, some populations are dwindled due to the increase of bird caging. In many areas these birds are regarded as an agricultural pest, feeding in large flocks on cultivated cereals such as rice. In Southeast Asia, they are trapped in large numbers for Buddhist ceremonies, but most birds are later released.
According to IUCN Red List, the Scaly-breasted munia is locally common throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. The national population estimates include around 10,000-100,000 breeding pairs in China; around 10,000-100,000 breeding pairs in Taiwan and around 100-10,000 introduced breeding pairs in Japan. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
