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The scaly-breasted munia or spotted munia (Lonchura punctulata), known in the pet trade as nutmeg mannikin or spice finch, is a sparrow-sized estrildid finch native to tropical Asia. A species of the genus Lonchura, it was formally described and named by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. Its name is based on the distinct scale-like feather markings on the breast and belly. The adult is brown above and has a dark conical bill. The species has 11 subspecies across their range and differ slightly in size and colour.
Scientific Name : Lonchura Punctulata
Family : Estrildidae
Order : Passeriformes
Class : Aves
Type : Waxbills, Munias, And Allies
Conservation Status : Least concern (LC)
Size : 10 cm
Compare Size : Sparrow -
Wingspan : 11 - 15 cm
Weight : 14 g
Migratory : Resident
Sex Alike : Yes
Nesting Season : July - October
Other Names :
English : Spotted Munia, Nutmeg Mannikin, Spice Finch
Hindi : मुनिया, सीनाबाज, तेलिया मुनिया, बिन्दुकित मुनिया, चित्ती मुनिया
Marathi : ठिपकेदार मुनिया, खवलेवाला मुनिया, मनोली, ठिपकेवाली मनोली
Habitat:
Close to water and grassland, Paddy fields
Breeding:
Eggs - 4 - 8, Pure White, Both sexes share domestic duties.
Feeding:
Seeds, Small berries, Small grains, Algae
| Male & Female | |
|---|---|
| Bill | stubby dark-black |
| Upperparts | brown |
| Head | dark-brown |
| Underparts | white with blac scale markings |
| Wing | brown |
| Note : males have darker markings on the underside and a darker throat than females |
|
| Immature | |
|---|---|
| Upperparts | pale brown |
| Head | not dark as in adults |
| Underparts | uniform buff |
| Date | Location |
|---|---|
| 29 Dec 2018 | Bird Watching Area, Bhandup West, Mumbai, Maharashtra |
