Originally from tropical Asia, the scaly-breasted munia, also called the spotted munia (Lonchura punctulata), is a sparrow-sized estrildid bird that is also referred to as the spice finch or nutmeg mannikin in the pet trade. The characteristic scale-like feather markings on the breast and belly are the source of its name. The adult has a black conical bill and is brown above. Eleven subspecies, which vary somewhat in size and color, make up the species’ distribution. With the exception of berries and tiny insects, this munia mostly consumes grass seeds.
Alert Perch the munia keeps watch.
They use whistles and gentle sounds to communicate while foraging in flocks. Being a rather gregarious bird, it occasionally roosts with other munia species. Grasslands and tropical plains are home to this species. Using bamboo or grass leaves, breeding pairs build dome-shaped nests. Although it might vary, the breeding season occurs throughout the summer rainy season, which is primarily June through August and October in India. Slope stance comes in two varieties: pre-copulatory and usual.
Steady Stance Perched on a coconut leaf, the bird watches.
There are several steps in the pre-copulatory behavior of scaly-breasted munia. In the first stage, either the male or female plays with the nest material. A bird starts flying in a zigzag pattern as soon as it has put the nest materials in its bill. The male of the pair stoops to wipe its bill after the female lands near it. The male then moves his body while singing. The female’s twitching tail invites mounting. The bird constructs a large, loosely woven nest with a dome made of blades of grass, bamboo, or other foliage. It positions the nest beneath a house’s eaves or in a tree, leaving a side entrance.
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