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.
- Local extinctions of Singapore birds (Science)
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 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.). White-headed Munia. Retrieved on September 24, 2023 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/white-headed-munia.