Scaly Breasted Munia or Spotted Munia – Lonchura punctulata
For commoners everything that resembles Sparrow in any minute way is a sparrow. But, trees around my home in Pune, also gives shelter to sparrow like birds. These birds are Scaly Breasted Munia or Spotted Munia. Biologically sparrow and Munia are different species of birds. Scaly Breasted Munia, as the name suggests has scaly texture on breasts. Body of adults is brown and has white underbelly and dark color near eyes. Males usually have darker brown color than females. Also, male has more and darker scales on the breast. I took following photos from my Window ! Hope you will enjoy ..
Munia’s are identified easily by their conical beaks. It is peculiar to Munia’s. Munia feeds on small grass seeds, small berries and insects. Usually Scaly breasted munia’s live in flocks. But, still roam around in couples. Actually this bird is grassland bird. But, these birds still can be seen in trees around Pune.
How To Identify Scaly Breasted Munia?
Noticed a different species at home in Gueydan, Louisiana January 2020.. I was told it was Scaly Breasted Munia!
I have a family of 8 … one male for sure because it is the only one that was in full color and the rest are juveniles.