Black-throated Munia

Overview

The black-throated munia, or Jerdon's mannikin, is a small passerine bird belonging to the estrildid finch family. It is classified as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Size: Approximately 12 cm in length with a long black tail.
• Plumage: Dark brown upperparts with pale shaft streaks; blackish face and bib; pinkish brown underparts that become scaly towards the vent.
• Bill: Stubby and grey.
• Dimorphism: Sexes are similar in appearance, though immatures lack the darker face and possess more uniform underparts.

Habitat

A resident breeding bird found in the hills of southwest India, the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, and Sri Lanka. It frequents open hill woodland and cultivation areas.

Diet

Feeds mainly on seeds. It is described as a gregarious bird, indicating social foraging behaviour.

Did you know?

Its nesting habits are quite robust, constructing a large domed grass structure in trees or creepers on a house, where it lays 3-8 white eggs in India and usually five in Sri Lanka.