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[[Image:Scaly-breasted_Munia_(juv.)_by_paux_IMG_9390ra.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Juvenile<br />Photo by {{user|paux|paux}}<br />Long Valley, [[Hong Kong]], October 2012]] | [[Image:Scaly-breasted_Munia_(juv.)_by_paux_IMG_9390ra.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Juvenile<br />Photo by {{user|paux|paux}}<br />Long Valley, [[Hong Kong]], October 2012]] | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| − | Lowland open areas with seeding grass. | + | Lowland open areas with seeding grass. Has been observed at heights around 3000m on the approach to the [[Himalayas]] in Himachal Pradesh. |
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| − | Normally occur in flocks. Nesting can occur at any time of the year if conditions are favorable, and the nest is normally found at moderate height in a tree. | + | Normally occur in flocks. |
| + | ====Breeding==== | ||
| + | Nesting can occur at any time of the year if conditions are favorable, and the nest is normally found at moderate height in a tree. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | #{{Ref- | + | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug14}} |
{{ref}} | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
Revision as of 19:48, 20 October 2014
Also known as: Nutmeg Mannikin, Spice Finch, Spotted Munia
- Lonchura punctulata
Identification
Adult: both sexes identical with cinnamon-brown back and head, at least sometimes with darker face and throat. The breast and the rest of the underside is mostly white with each feather showing narrow borders and stripes in brown producing a scaly pattern. There seems to be variation (individual? geographic?) as to whether the scaly effect comes on gradually or at an abrubt line at the base of the throat (See the images in the gallery using the link below).
Juvenile is slightly lighter than the adult on the back, while the underside is buffy, gradually lighter towards undertail coverts and lacking in the scaly effect.
Bill is black in both adult and juveniles.
Distribution
The natural distribution is from Nepal through India and Sri Lanka and east from there through China and the far east to Philippines and Indonesia. In addition, this species is common in the pet trade, and has generally established populations that spreads from wherever escapes have happened. They are therefore present along the east coast of Australia, the Caribbean and the USA, just to mention a few of the locations where they have been introduced.
Taxonomy
Twelve subspecies share the original range. Birds in the pet trade are unlikely to come from any single subspecies, so introduced populations likely represent a mixture; even so, birds in Australia and the Caribbean do not look identical.
Subspecies
There are 12 subspecies[1]:
- L. p. punctulata: Nepal to Sikkim, India and Sri Lanka
- L. p. subundulata: North-eastern India (Assam) to Bhutan and western Myanmar
- L. p. yunnanensis: North-eastern Myanmar and south-western China
- L. p. topela: Southern China to northern Thailand, Indochina, Hainan and Taiwan
- L. p. cabanisi: Philippines (Luzon, Mindoro, Panay, Cebu, Calauit and Palawan)
- L. p. fretensis: Southern Thailand and Malay Peninsula to Sumatra and adjacent islands
- L. p. nisoria: Java, Bali, Lombok and Sumbawa
- L. p. sumbae: Sumba (Lesser Sundas)
- L. p. blasii: Flores, Timor, Tanimbar Islands and adjacent Lesser Sundas
- L. p. particeps: Sulawesi
- L. p. baweana: Bawean Island (Java Sea)
- L. p. holmesi: Southeast Borneo (Kalimantan)
_by_paux_IMG_9390ra.jpg)
Habitat
Lowland open areas with seeding grass. Has been observed at heights around 3000m on the approach to the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh.
Behaviour
Normally occur in flocks.
Breeding
Nesting can occur at any time of the year if conditions are favorable, and the nest is normally found at moderate height in a tree.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2014. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.9., with updates to August 2014. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Scaly-breasted Munia. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 25 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Scaly-breasted_Munia
External Links
