Javan Munia

Lonchura leucogastroides

Family: Munias, Parrotfinches, Waxbills, and Allies · Status: Uncommon introduced resident · Size: 11.5 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Native to Java, Bali, and Lombok. Introduced into Singapore since the 1920s.

Identification

Adult has black face, throat, and upper breast, dark brown upperparts with a black rump and uppertail-coverts, and strongly contrasting white underparts. Juvenile has brown face, throat, and upper breast, and pale buff belly. Differs from White-rumped Munia in having a black (not white) rump and more extensively black face and breast; White-rumped Munia also shows pale shaft-streaks on the mantle. Juveniles of other Munia species are difficult to tell apart.

Habitat

Grasslands, marshes, mangroves, forest, secondary growth, gardens, and parks.

Behaviour

Usually forages for seeds in grasslands; also forages in trees and shrubs; often in groups, associating with other munia species.