# Indian Silverbill (*Euodice malabarica*) The Indian Silverbill is a small, cheerful bird with a lovely silver-gray body and a short tail. They love to chirp and can often be seen in flocks, hopping around in grasslands and gardens. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Indian Silverbill](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Indian_Silverbill_Lonchura_malabarica_by_Dr._Raju_Kasambe_DSCN2542_%282%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Dr. Raju Kasambe, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Indian_Silverbill_Lonchura_malabarica_by_Dr._Raju_Kasambe_DSCN2542_%282%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Indian Silverbill is a small, stout bird with sandy-brown upperparts and contrasting whitish underparts. It has a distinctive dark rump and a thick, silvery-grey conical bill, which makes it easy to identify. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Estrildidae - **Genus:** Euodice ## Interesting facts - Sometimes, young Indian Silverbills from one nest help their parents feed new baby birds! - Their soft, tinkling calls sound like tiny bells ringing in the air. - These busy birds often raise two or three batches of chicks in a single year! - They love to roost communally, huddling together with many friends for warmth and safety. ## Special abilities - **Seed Crusher:** Indian Silverbill has a strong, conical bill that helps them crack open tough seeds with surprising ease. - **Team Nest Builder:** Indian Silverbill can sometimes build its nest inside the large, sturdy nests of other birds, finding ready-made shelter. - **Dust Bath Master:** Indian Silverbill can take frequent dust baths, which helps them keep their feathers clean and free from parasites. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 10-12 cm - **Wingspan:** 15-18 cm - **Weight:** 0.008-0.012 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-7 years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-8 - **Incubation:** 11-13 days ## Diet & Feeding A small bird that mostly eats tiny seeds from grasses and weeds. - **Primary Foods:** grass seeds, weed seeds, millet, small insects - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Shikra (*Accipiter badius*) — A common raptor that preys on small birds. - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — An introduced predator in many habitats. - **Eats:** [Johnson Grass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/johnson-grass) (*Sorghum halepense*) — Feeds on the abundant seeds of this common grass. - **Shelter:** Baya Weaver (*Ploceus philippinus*) — Sometimes builds its nest inside the large nests of weaver birds. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Indian Silverbill? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Indian Silverbill? 10-12 cm ### What is Indian Silverbill's wingspan? 15-18 cm ### How much does Indian Silverbill weigh? 0.008-0.012 kg ### How long does Indian Silverbill live? 3-7 years ### How fast can Indian Silverbill move? 40 km/h ### What does Indian Silverbill eat? A small bird that mostly eats tiny seeds from grasses and weeds. ### Where is Indian Silverbill usually found? Grasslands ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Indian Silverbill: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/indian-silverbill)