Chestnut Munia
Lonchura atricapilla
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Chestnut Munia is a small, stocky finch with a distinctive appearance. Its head is glossy black, contrasting sharply with a rich chestnut-brown body and wings. The rump and tail are a darker brown, while the belly and undertail coverts are white, creating a striking tricolour effect.
Both males and females share this colouration, making them difficult to distinguish visually. Juveniles have duller plumage, lacking the black head and showing an overall pale brown colouration until they moult into adult plumage.
Size
Length
10cm to 11cm
Wingspan
14cm to 16cm
Weight
10g to 14g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown Black White
Secondary Colour
Chestnut
Beak Colour
Grey
Leg Colour
Grey
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Chestnut Munias inhabit many open habitats across South and Southeast Asia, including India, Bangladesh, southern China, and Indonesia. They thrive in grasslands, scrublands, and agricultural areas, particularly rice paddies and other grain fields.
They have been introduced to Hawaii, where they have established populations on several islands. In their native range, they are year-round residents, showing little seasonal movement.
Elevation Range
Up to 1,500 meters
Climate zones
Tropical, Subtropical
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Chestnut Munia. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Chestnut Munia displays considerable agility, particularly in its foraging behaviour. Its ability to move nimbly through grass stems and its distinctive bouncy flight pattern indicate a high level of manoeuvrability and dexterity.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
As a small finch, the Chestnut Munia possesses modest strength relative to larger birds. However, its strong beak, adapted for extracting seeds, suggests some degree of specialised muscular power in this area.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
This species demonstrates remarkable adaptability, thriving in various habitats from natural grasslands to human-modified landscapes like rice paddies and suburban areas. Its success in colonising introduced areas (e.g., Hawaii) further evidences its adaptable nature.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Chestnut Munias are generally non-aggressive, preferring to live in social flocks. Their gentle nature and popularity as pets suggest a low propensity for aggression, although they may display some territorial behaviour during breeding.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
While specific endurance data is limited, the Chestnut Munia's ability to forage actively in flocks and its potential to undertake local movements suggest moderate endurance. However, as a small bird primarily adapted to short flights, its overall endurance is likely not exceptionally high.
Diet
The Chestnut Munia primarily feeds on small seeds from grasses and cultivated grains. It shows a particular fondness for rice, millet, and other cereal crops. During the breeding season, it supplements its diet with small insects and spiders, providing additional protein for growing chicks.
Behaviour
Chestnut Munias are highly social birds, often seen in flocks of 10 to 30 individuals, sometimes mixing with other Munia species. They have a distinctive bouncy flight pattern, alternating between rapid wing beats and brief glides.
They move through grass stems with agility when foraging, using their strong beaks to extract seeds.
Vocalisation
Chestnut Munias have a variety of soft, musical calls. Their most common vocalisation is a gentle 'chit-chit-chit' or 'tee-tee-tee' often heard as they forage or fly.
During courtship, males produce a more elaborate song, a series of warbling notes that sound like 'chee-wee-chee-wee-chee'.
Nesting & Breeding
The breeding season for Chestnut Munias varies by region but often coincides with the local rainy season. During courtship, pairs form strong bonds and engage in mutual preening and soft vocalisations.
Nests are large, domed structures of woven grass, typically placed in dense vegetation or tall grass. The female lays 4-6 small white eggs in a clutch.
Both parents share incubation duties for about 14 days. After hatching, chicks remain in the nest for approximately 21 days before fledging. Parents continue to feed and care for the young for several weeks after they leave the nest.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While the Chestnut Munia is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, it faces localised threats from habitat loss due to agricultural intensification and urbanisation.
In some areas, trapping for the pet trade has impacted populations, prompting calls for better regulation and monitoring of wild bird capture.
Population Data
Global Population Estimate
Unknown
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for flocks in open grasslands, rice paddies, and agricultural areas
- Listen for their soft, musical chirping calls as they forage
- Observe their behavior near seeding grasses or cultivated grains
- Check for nests in dense vegetation or tall grasses
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Black-headed Munia, Tricolored Munia, Java Sparrow
Family:
EstrildidaeAverage Lifespan
5 to 7 years
Predators
Main predators include small raptors such as sparrowhawks, domestic cats, and various snakes that can access their nests.
Did You Know?
- Chestnut Munias are sometimes called 'tricoloured munias' due to their distinctive black, chestnut, and white plumage.
- They are popular in the pet trade for their gentle nature and melodious calls.
- In some parts of their range, they are considered agricultural pests due to their fondness for rice crops.
Similar Birds
References
- 1 2
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Lonchura atricapilla. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22729138A95007301.
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