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scaly breasted munia

Lonchura punctulata

Photo by go2atuldubey
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

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.

Habitat:

Along with other Estrildines, these species are thought to have originated in Asia. The species been introduced to other parts of the world due to its popularity as a cage bird and populations have established in the wild.

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