Fig 1
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Munias comprise the genus Lonchura, part of
the family Estrildidae. These are finch-like birds of modest size with
short, powerful bills which have evolved to pluck and crush grass seed and
other small grains.
Many munias are strikingly patterned, albeit with various shades of brown,
plus black and white.
They are mainly open-country, marshland or forest edge birds. Many species
are able to survive in semi-urban or cultivated areas where long grass and
other vegetation is left untended, for example along roadsides and railway
lines.
They generally congregate in small flocks of less than 10
individuals, and sometimes in mixed flocks with other munia species.
Some species may congregate in large flocks when food is particularly
abundant.
Spherical nests are constructed amongst tangles of open vegetation or
discretely hidden amongst dense vegetation : the entrance to the nest is
from the side. Such nests may be vulnerable to predation from tree climbing snakes.
Munias are distributed from Africa, through South Asia and Southeast Asia to
the western Pacific (especially New Guinea). Around 20 species of munia
occur within Southeast Asia.
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Fig 3
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Figs 3 and 4 :
White-headed
Munia
Lonchura maja
Habitat : Grassland
Location : Portsdown, Singapore.
Notes : This lone White-headed Munia was busy plucking grass seed along the
embankment of the KTM railway line, which passes through the heart of
Singapore. The short tail suggests this is a sub-adult. |
