Species guide
Scaly-breasted Munia: how to recognise it
A bird seen on most continents. Learn the marks that make it easy to identify, then practise with real photographs in Lore.
Practise with real photosAll species guides
Photo © Daniel Raposo · CC BY-NC · iNaturalist · all photo credits
- Scientific name
- Lonchura punctulata
- Family
- Waxbills and Allies
- Size
- About 11–12 cm
- Habitat
- Grassland, farmland and gardens
- Found in
- Europe, Africa, Asia, North America and Oceania
The key marks
A small chestnut-brown finch with a dark face and a scaly pattern on its white chest and belly.
Voice
A soft, whistled “ki-ki-ki”.
Good to know
It builds a domed grass nest, and several munias often share one to sleep in.
Where and when
You can expect to find it in grassland, farmland and gardens. It is especially common in Thailand. Distribution changes with the seasons and from year to year, so check a recent local observation source before you go looking.