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

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:

White-headed Munia at Tampines Bike Trail. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
White-headed Munia at Jurong West Street 22. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
White-headed Munia at Jurong West Street 22. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
White-headed Munia at Jurong West Street 22. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
External Links:
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (White-headed Munia)
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 19 December 2021
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.