Scientific Name: Lonchura atricapilla
Malay Name: Ciak-Padi Rawa Biasa
Chinese Name: 栗腹文鸟
Alternative Name(s): Black-headed Munia
Range: Found from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, South China, Taiwan to Southeast Asia
Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: rubronigra, atricapilla, deignani, sinensis, batakana, formosana, jagori.
Local Subspecies: sinensis
Size: 11-11.5 cm
Identification: Adult has black hood that contrasts strongly with deep chestnut body, bluish-grey bill and darker belly-center/vent. Difficult to distinguish juvenile from Scaly-breasted Munia and White-headed Munia.
Similar looking species: Scaly-breasted Munia, White-headed Munia
Habitat: Grassland.
Behaviour/Ecology: Forages in large mixed flocks with Scaly-breated Munia and White-headed Munia.
Local Status: Uncommon resident and uncommon introduced resident
Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)
Location: Kranji Marsh, Lorong Halus, Punggol Barat, Tampines Eco Green, Tuas, Satay by the Bay, Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong.
- Bird Calls of Singapore (Birders' Stories)
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Chestnut Munia)
References:
BirdLife International. (2016). Lonchura atricapilla. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22729138A95007301.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.
Wells, D. R. (1999). The Birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsula (Vol. 1). Academic Press, London.
RECOMMENDED CITATION
Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Chestnut Munia. Retrieved on July 12, 2025 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/chestnut-munia.