Black Munia
Lonchura stygia
A small bird of reedbeds and flooded grasslands in the Trans-Fly of New Guinea. Black underparts and face, brown to blackish upperparts, yellow rump and tail, and a pale silver-blue bill. Usually seen in small flocks. Adult is distinctive in range, but juveniles similar to co-occuring White-spotted and Gray-crowned Munias, but juvenile Black Munias show more contrast between dark upperparts and paler underparts. Gives a short “twe-twee” call.
Identification
A small bird of reedbeds and flooded grasslands in the Trans-Fly of New Guinea. Black underparts and face, brown to blackish upperparts, yellow rump and tail, and a pale silver-blue bill. Usually seen in small flocks. Adult is distinctive in range, but juveniles similar to co-occuring White-spotted and Gray-crowned Munias, but juvenile Black Munias show more contrast between dark upperparts and paler underparts. Gives a short “twe-twee” call.
Taxonomy
Genus: Lonchura; Family: Estrildidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Lonchura stygia
- Authority
- Stresemann, 1934
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Genus
- Lonchura
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
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