Birds · Passeriformes · Estrildidae

Scaly-breasted Munia

Lonchura punctulata

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The scaly-breasted munia, known in Spanish as capuchino punteado or pinzón canela, is a species of passerine bird of the family Estrildidae native to the Indomalayan region. It is found on the Indian subcontinent and in South-East Asia, reaching as far as the Malay archipelago. The species has been introduced to the Caribbean, eastern Australia and the islands of Réunion and Mauritius.

Weight

12 g – 16 g

Size

11 cm – 12 cm

Lifespan

8 years

Diet

Herbivore

Feeds mainly on plants.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

Colony

Lives in large concentrations, often for breeding reasons.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

Temperate forestFreshwaterGrasslandHerbivore Diurnal Colonial Bird Temperate forest Freshwater Grassland

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Fun facts

The scaled pattern on its breast has given it local names referring to the skin of a fish or the scales of a snake in several Asian languages.
It has become established on dozens of islands and regions outside its natural range through the cage-bird trade, and is today one of the most widespread introduced birds in the world.
It builds globular grass nests with a side entrance, and several pairs may nest in the same bush, forming small, very tightly packed colonies.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (bird)
Habitat & environment: Grassland, rice fields, farmland and gardens of southern and South-East Asia; introduced on many islands
Sexual maturity: 12 months
Gestation / incubation: 13 days of incubation
Litter / clutch size: 5 eggs

Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonchura_punctulata