Lonchura
Encyclopedia
Lonchura is a genus
of the estrildid finch
family, and includes munias (or minias), mannikins, and silverbills. They are resident breeding birds in Africa
and in South Asia
from India
and Sri Lanka
east to Indonesia
and the Philippines
. The name mannikin is from Middle Dutch mannekijn 'little man' (also the source of the different bird name manakin
).
Some of the Lonchura species were formerly placed in Spermestes. Others have been placed in a genus of their own, Euodice
.
The nest is a large domed grass structure into which 4–10 white eggs are laid. Some species also build communal roosting nests for overnight rest.
The species in this genus are similar in size and structure, with stubby bills, stocky bodies and long tails. Most are 10–12 cm in length. Plumage is usually a combination of browns, black and white, with the sexes similar, but duller and less contrasted for immature birds.
The similarities within this group and the existence of subspecies with differing vocalisations and plumage mean that some races may be elevated to species status. African
and Indian Silverbill
are now usually considered distinct species, and the two races of Black-throated Munia
are often also split.
The munias are popular in the bird trade and many freed or escaped birds have formed feral
colonies in different pockets across the world.
The Red Munia
Estrilda amandava and Green Munia Estrilda formosa also take the name munia, but are in the Estrilda genus.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of the estrildid finch
Estrildid finch
The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They can be classified as the family Estrildidae , or as a sub-group within the family Passeridae, which also includes the true sparrows....
family, and includes munias (or minias), mannikins, and silverbills. They are resident breeding birds in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and in South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
from India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
east to Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
and the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. The name mannikin is from Middle Dutch mannekijn 'little man' (also the source of the different bird name manakin
Manakin
The manakins are a family, Pipridae, of unique small suboscine passerine birds. The family contains some 60 species. They are distributed through the American tropics...
).
Some of the Lonchura species were formerly placed in Spermestes. Others have been placed in a genus of their own, Euodice
Euodice
Euodice is a genus of estrildid songbirds that is recognized by some authorities but here included in Lonchura. Its members are the silverbills...
.
Characteristics
They are small gregarious birds which feed mainly on seeds, usually in relatively open habitats, preferring to feed on the ground or on reeds and grasses. Several species have been noted to feed on algae such as Spirogyra.The nest is a large domed grass structure into which 4–10 white eggs are laid. Some species also build communal roosting nests for overnight rest.
The species in this genus are similar in size and structure, with stubby bills, stocky bodies and long tails. Most are 10–12 cm in length. Plumage is usually a combination of browns, black and white, with the sexes similar, but duller and less contrasted for immature birds.
The similarities within this group and the existence of subspecies with differing vocalisations and plumage mean that some races may be elevated to species status. African
African Silverbill
The African Silverbill is a small passerine bird formerly considered conspecific with the Asian species Indian Silverbill, . This estrildid finch is a common resident breeding bird in dry savanna habitat, south of the Sahara Desert...
and Indian Silverbill
Indian Silverbill
The Indian Silverbill or White-throated Munia is a small passerine bird found in South Asia that was formerly considered to include the closely related African Silverbill . This estrildid finch is a common resident breeding bird in the dry regions of the Middle East and South Asia...
are now usually considered distinct species, and the two races of Black-throated Munia
Black-throated Munia
The Black-throated Munia or Jerdon's Mannikin is a small passerine bird. This estrildid finch is a resident breeding bird in the hills of southwest India, the Eastern Ghats and Sri Lanka.-Subspecies:...
are often also split.
The munias are popular in the bird trade and many freed or escaped birds have formed feral
Feral
A feral organism is one that has changed from being domesticated to being wild or untamed. In the case of plants it is a movement from cultivated to uncultivated or controlled to volunteer. The introduction of feral animals or plants to their non-native regions, like any introduced species, may...
colonies in different pockets across the world.
The Red Munia
Red Munia
The Red Munia, Red Avadavat or Strawberry Finch is a sparrow-sized bird of the Munia family. It is found in the open fields and grasslands of tropical Asia and is popular as a cage bird due to the colourful plumage of the males in their breeding season. It breeds in South Asia during the Monsoon...
Estrilda amandava and Green Munia Estrilda formosa also take the name munia, but are in the Estrilda genus.
Species
- Madagascar MuniaMadagascar MuniaThe Madagascar Mannikin Lonchura nana is a common species of estrildid finch native to Madagascar. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 100,000 to 1,000,000 km²....
, Lonchura nana - African SilverbillAfrican SilverbillThe African Silverbill is a small passerine bird formerly considered conspecific with the Asian species Indian Silverbill, . This estrildid finch is a common resident breeding bird in dry savanna habitat, south of the Sahara Desert...
, Lonchura cantans - Indian SilverbillIndian SilverbillThe Indian Silverbill or White-throated Munia is a small passerine bird found in South Asia that was formerly considered to include the closely related African Silverbill . This estrildid finch is a common resident breeding bird in the dry regions of the Middle East and South Asia...
, Lonchura malabarica also known as White-throated Munia - Grey-headed SilverbillGrey-headed SilverbillThe Grey-headed Silverbill , also known as Peal-headed Mannikin, is a species of estrildid finch found in eastern Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, and Tanzania. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 400,000 km²...
, Lonchura griseicapilla - Bronze MannikinBronze MannikinThe Bronze Mannikin or Bronze Munia Lonchura cucullata is a small passerine bird. This estrildid finch is an abundant resident breeding bird in much of Africa south of the Sahara Desert of dry savanna habitats...
, Lonchura cucullata also known as Bronze Munia - Black-and-white MannikinBlack-and-white MannikinThe Black-and-white Mannikin or Black-and-white Munia Lonchura bicolor is a species of estrildid finch found in southern and central Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 4,200,000 km²....
, Lonchura bicolor also known as Black-and-white Munia - Brown-backed MannikinBrown-backed MannikinThe Red-backed Mannikin , also known as the Brown-backed Mannikin or Brown-backed Munia, is a common species of estrildid finch found in Africa.-Distribution and habitat:...
, Lonchura nigriceps also known as Brown-backed Munia - Magpie MannikinMagpie MannikinThe Magpie Mannikin or Magpie Munia Lonchura fringilloides is a species of estrildid finch found in southern and central Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 1,400,000 km²....
, Lonchura fringilloides also known as Magpie Munia - White-rumped MuniaWhite-rumped MuniaThe White-rumped Munia or White-rumped Mannikin , sometimes called Striated Finch in aviculture, is a small passerine bird from the family of waxbill "finches"...
, Lonchura striata - Javan MuniaJavan MuniaThe Javan Munia Lonchura leucogastroides is a species of estrildid finch found in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. It is found in subtropical/ tropical dry shrubland and grassland habitat. The status of the species is evaluated as Least Concern....
, Lonchura leucogastroides - Dusky MuniaDusky MuniaThe Dusky Munia Lonchura fuscans is a species of estrildid finch found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines. It is found in subtropical/ tropical lowland shrubland, forest and grassland habitat. The status of the species is evaluated as Least Concern.-References:*...
, Lonchura fuscans - Black-faced MuniaBlack-faced MuniaThe Black-faced Munia Lonchura molucca is a species of estrildid finch found in Indonesia. Its habitat is very broad and it could be found in artificial landscapes , forest, grassland & savanna. The status of the species is evaluated as Least Concern.-References:*...
, Lonchura molucca - Black-throated MuniaBlack-throated MuniaThe Black-throated Munia or Jerdon's Mannikin is a small passerine bird. This estrildid finch is a resident breeding bird in the hills of southwest India, the Eastern Ghats and Sri Lanka.-Subspecies:...
, Lonchura kelaarti also known as Jerdon's Mannikin - Scaly-breasted MuniaScaly-breasted MuniaThe Scaly-breasted Munia or Spotted Munia known in the pet trade as Nutmeg Mannikin or Spice Finch is a sparrow-sized estrildid finch native to tropical Asia extending from India and Sri Lanka east to Indonesia and the Philippines...
, Lonchura punctulata also known as Nutmeg Mannikin or Spice Finch - White-bellied MuniaWhite-bellied MuniaThe White-bellied Munia Lonchura leucogastra is a species of estrildid finch found in most of the Southeast asia countries. For example, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Burma, Philippines and Thailand. It is found in subtropical/ tropical lowland moist forest habitat. The status of the species is...
, Lonchura leucogastra - Streak-headed Munia, Lonchura tristissima
- L. t. tristissima
- L. t. leucosticta
- Black-headed MuniaBlack-headed MuniaThe Black-headed Munia, Lonchura atricapilla also known as Chestnut Munia, is a small passerine bird...
, Lonchura atricapilla also known as Chestnut Munia - Tricoloured MuniaTricoloured MuniaThe Tricoloured Munia Lonchura malacca is a estrildid finch, native to India and Sri Lanka. The species was also introduced to Australia, Cuba, Hispaniola, Honduras, Jamaica, Japan, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Venezuela.-Taxonomic note:...
, Lonchura malacca - White-capped MuniaWhite-capped MuniaThe White-capped Munia Lonchura ferruginosa is a species of estrildid finch found in Indonesia. It is found in marshes, swamps, fens, grasslands habitat. The status of the species is evaluated as Least Concern.-References:...
, Lonchura ferruginosa - Cream-bellied MuniaCream-bellied MuniaThe Cream-bellied Munia or Cream-bellied Mannikin is a bird of the family Estrildidae. It was described as new to science by Restall but is considered a hybrid by van Balen and Dickinson and this treatment is followed by the BirdLife Taxonomic Working Group and it is not recognised by BirdLife...
, Lonchura pallidiventer - Five-colored MuniaFive-colored MuniaThe Five-colored Munia Lonchura quinticolor is a common species of estrildid finch found in Indonesia. It has a wide range of distribution and inhabits many different habitats even in artificial landscapes, forest, shrubland and wet grassland habitats...
, Lonchura quinticolor - White-headed MuniaWhite-headed MuniaThe White-headed Munia Lonchura maja is a species of estrildid finch found in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. This species is also introduced to Portugal. It is found in wetlands habitat. The status of the species is evaluated as Least Concern.Description: Smallish , white...
, Lonchura maja - Pale-headed MuniaPale-headed MuniaThe Pale-headed Munia, Lonchura pallida is a species of estrildid finch found in Indonesia. It is found in artificial landscapes, subtropical and tropical lowlands, dry shrubland and grassland habitat. The status of the species is evaluated as Least Concern.-Origin:Origin and phylogeny has been...
, Lonchura pallida - Grand MuniaGrand MuniaThe Grand Munia is a species of estrildid finch found in West Papua, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. It is found in wetlands habitat. The status of the species is evaluated as Least Concern.-References:*...
, Lonchura grandis - Grey-banded MuniaGrey-banded MuniaThe Grey-banded Munia, Lonchura vana is a species of estrildid finch is known to be found in Anggi Gigi, Tamrau Mountains and Arfak Mountains in the Vogelkop Peninsula in north-west Papua, Indonesia. This species inhabits at mid-mountain wet grassland and marshland...
, Lonchura vana - Grey-crowned MuniaGrey-crowned MuniaThe Grey-crowned Munia Lonchura nevermanni is a species of estrildid finch breeding in West Papua, Indonesia & Papua New Guinea. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 20,000 to 50,000 km²....
, Lonchura nevermanni - Hooded MuniaHooded MuniaThe Hooded Munia Lonchura spectabilis also known as Hooded Mannikin or New Britain Mannikin or Sclater's Mannikin is a species of estrildid finch found in West Papua, Indonesia & Papua New Guinea.-Description:...
, Lonchura spectabilis - Grey-headed MuniaGrey-headed MuniaThe Grey-headed Munia Lonchura caniceps is a species of estrildid finch breeding in Papua New Guinea. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 50,000 to 100,000 km². It is found in moist savanna, shrubland & wetlands. The status of the species is evaluated as Least Concern.-References:*...
, Lonchura caniceps - Mottled MuniaMottled MuniaThe Mottled Munia Lonchura hunsteini is a species of estrildid finch breeding in Papua New Guinea. This species is also introduced to Federated States of Micronesia. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 20,000 to 50,000 km². It is found in subtropical/ tropical dry grassland habitat....
, Lonchura hunsteini - New Ireland MuniaNew Ireland MuniaThe New Ireland Munia Lonchura forbesi is a species of estrildid finch breeding in Papua New Guinea. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 20,000 to 50,000 km². It is found in subtropical/ tropical lowland dry grassland habitat. The status of the species is evaluated as Least...
, Lonchura forbesi - New Hanover MuniaNew Hanover MuniaThe New Hanover Munia Lonchura nigerrima is a species of estrildid finch breeding in Papua New Guinea. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 20,000 to 50,000 km². It is found in subtropical/ tropical dry grassland habitat. The status of the species is evaluated as Least...
, Lonchura nigerrima - Yellow-rumped MuniaYellow-rumped MuniaThe Yellow-rumped Munia , also known as the Yellow-rumped Mannikin, is a species of estrildid finch found in eastern Kimberley region and north-west Northern Territory, Australia. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 20,000 to 50,000 km². It is found in subtropical/ tropical mangrove,...
, Lonchura flaviprymna - Chestnut-breasted MuniaChestnut-breasted MuniaThe Chestnut-breasted Munia , also known as the Chestnut-breasted Mannikin or Bully Bird , is a small brown-backed munia with a black face and greyish crown and nape. It has a broad ferruginous breast bar above a white belly. The species is found in Australia, New Caledonia, Indonesia, and Papua...
, Lonchura castaneothorax - Black MuniaBlack MuniaThe Black Munia Lonchura stygia is a species of estrildid finch found in New Guinea, from Mandum to Lake Daviumbu, Papua New Guinea...
, Lonchura stygia - Black-breasted MuniaBlack-breasted MuniaThe Black-breasted Munia Lonchura teerinki is a species of estrildid finch found in West Papua, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 20,000 to 50,000 km². It is found in subtropical/ tropical lowland dry shrubland and high altitude grassland...
, Lonchura teerinki - Snow Mountain MuniaSnow Mountain MuniaThe Snow Mountain Munia, Lonchura montana also known as Snow Mountain Mannikin or Western Alpine Mannikin is a small, approximately 11.5 cm long, estrildid finch. Both sexes are similar with dark brown plumage, black face, buff chest and black-barred white abdomen...
, Lonchura montana - Alpine MuniaAlpine MuniaThe Alpine Munia Lonchura monticola is a species of estrildid finch found in Papua New Guinea. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 20,000 to 50,000 km²....
, Lonchura monticola - Bismarck MuniaBismarck MuniaThe Sooty Munia , also known as the Bismarck Munia, is a species of estrildid finch breeding in Papua New Guinea . It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 20,000 to 50,000 km²....
, Lonchura melaena