Lonchura punctulata
Size: 11 – 12cm
Weight: 12 – 16cm
Found: The species is endemic to Asia and occurs from India and Sri Lanka east to Indonesia and the Philippines. This species is found in tropical plains and grasslands.
Description: The adult 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.
Diet: This munia eats mainly grass seeds apart from berries and small insects.
Comment: In many areas it is regarded as an agricultural pest, feeding in large flocks on cultivated cereals such as rice. In Southeast Asia, the scaly-breasted munia is trapped in large numbers for Buddhist ceremonies, but most birds are later released.
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