# Scaly-breasted Munia (*Lonchura punctulata*) The Scaly-breasted Munia is a small, colorful bird with a unique scaly pattern on its chest. These friendly birds love to eat seeds and can often be seen in groups, chirping happily in the trees. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 11 - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Nutmeg Mannikin, Rice Bird ![Scaly-breasted Munia](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Scaly_Brested_Munia.jpg&width=800) Photo: Kmoorthy1969, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Scaly_Brested_Munia.jpg) ## Appearance The Scaly-breasted Munia is a small, stout bird featuring a chocolate-brown head and back. Its most striking feature is the dark brown 'scaly' pattern across its white chest and flanks, giving it its name. It also has a thick, silvery-grey bill. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Estrildidae - **Genus:** Lonchura ## Interesting facts - Baby munias show special mouth markings to tell parents where to put food! - Many munias will sometimes sleep together in a massive feathered group for safety! - Scaly-breasted Munias have spread across the world, thriving in many new places! - They are sometimes called 'Spice Finches' because of their warm brown colors! ## Special abilities - **Seed Sensing Superpower:** Scaly-breasted Munia can quickly locate hidden seeds because its sharp vision and quick movements help them find food sources. - **Flock Fortress Builder:** Scaly-breasted Munia has a strong flocking instinct that helps them stay safe from predators and find food more efficiently in groups. - **Nest Weaver Wizard:** Scaly-breasted Munia can construct dome-shaped nests because their agile feet and bill allow them to interweave grass blades and plant fibers. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 10-12 cm - **Wingspan:** 15-18 cm - **Weight:** 0.01-0.016 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-7 years - **Speed:** 35 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-10 - **Incubation:** 11-13 days ## Diet & Feeding These birds mainly munch on tiny seeds, especially from grasses and weeds. - **Primary Foods:** Grass seeds, Weed seeds, Millet, Rice grains, Bamboo seeds - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Eurasian Sparrowhawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-sparrowhawk) (*Accipiter nisus*) — a common raptor that hunts small birds. - **Eats:** [Rice](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rice) (*Oryza sativa*) — a common agricultural crop that provides a food source. - **Eaten by:** [Black Rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-rat) (*Rattus rattus*) — an opportunistic predator of eggs and nestlings. - **Eats:** Green Foxtail (*Setaria viridis*) — a widespread weed grass providing abundant seeds. ## 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. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [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 Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Scaly-breasted Munia? 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 Scaly-breasted Munia? 10-12 cm ### What is Scaly-breasted Munia's wingspan? 15-18 cm ### How much does Scaly-breasted Munia weigh? 0.01-0.016 kg ### How long does Scaly-breasted Munia live? 3-7 years ### How fast can Scaly-breasted Munia move? 35 km/h ### What does Scaly-breasted Munia eat? These birds mainly munch on tiny seeds, especially from grasses and weeds. ### Where is Scaly-breasted Munia usually found? Grasslands ## Where to spot - [Arroyo Conejo Open Space](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arroyo-conejo-open-space) — California, US · Park - [Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fairchild-tropical-botanic-garden) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/panaewa-rainforest-zoo) — Hawaii, US · Zoo - [Africatown](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/africatown) — Alabama, US · Neighborhood - [Alvarado Terrace Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alvarado-terrace-historic-district) — California, US · Historic District - [El Prado Complex](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/el-prado-complex) — California, US · Historic Site [View all places to see Scaly-breasted Munia](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/scaly-breasted-munia) ## 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: [Scaly-breasted Munia: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/scaly-breasted-munia)