White-headed Munia

White-headed Munia

Scientific Name: Lonchura maja

Malay Name: Ciak-Padi Uban Barat

Chinese Name: 白头文鸟

Range: Found from the Thai-Malay Peninsula to Sumatra, Java and Vietnam

Taxonomy: Monotypic.

Size: 11.5 cm

Identification: Adult has pale white head, vinous-brown collar, milk chocolate brown body, wings and tail with a large black belly patch. Difficult to distinguish juvenile from Scaly-breated Munia and Chestnut Munia.

Similar looking species: Scaly-breasted Munia, Chestnut Munia

Habitat: Grassland

Behaviour/Ecology: Forages in large mixed flocks with Scaly-breated Munia and Chestnut 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, Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong.

Featured articles:

References:

BirdLife International. (2016). Lonchura maja. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22719851A94647970.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.

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