Scaly-breasted Munia

Scientific Name: Lonchura punctulata
Malay Name: Ciak-Padi Pinang
Chinese Name: 斑文鸟

Range:
Found from the Himalayan foothills to the Indian subcontinent, China and Southeast Asia

Taxonomy:
Polytypic. Subspecies are: punctulata, subundulata, yunnanensis, topela, cabanisi, fretensis, nisoria, sumbae, blasii, baweana, particeps.

Local Subspecies: fretensis (resident), topela (introduced)

Size: 12-12.5 cm

Identification:
The introduced topela shows distinctive plumage pattern with brown upperparts contrasting with brownish scales on breast and flanks, chestnut-tinged head-sides and whitish centre of belly and vent. Local race fretensis has paler upperparts and bolder/blacker scaling below. Juvenile is duller and scales are either very faint or not visible.

Similar looking species: Chestnut Munia, White-headed Munia

Habitat: Urban areas as well as cultivated lands, grasslands, scrub, secondary growth.

Behaviour/Ecology: Highly gregarious and forages in small flocks, sometimes with other Munia species.

Local Status: Common resident and 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.

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Scaly-breasted Munia at Lorong Halus. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Scaly-breasted Munia (subspecies topela) at Punggol. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Scaly-breasted Munia at Lorong Halus. Photo Credit: Francis Yap