Streak-headed Munia
Mayrimunia tristissima
A small dark brown bird with a heavy blue bill. There is considerable individual and geographic variation, especially in the extent of streaking on the head and spotting on the wing. The pale buff rump is conspicuous in flight. Found in forest clearings, moist grassland, cultivated areas, and forest edges, often in pairs or small flocks. The calls are metallic “veek” and “vik” notes. The song is a fast, high-pitched metallic jumble of notes. Similar to White-spotted Munia but darker overall, especially on the underparts, and lacks large white spots across the back. Darker and more uniform than other munias in its range.
Identification
Mainly dark brown plumage with light streaking on head and yellowish rump; subspecies leucosticta also with white spotting on face, breast and upper wing-coverts. The call is a short buzzing note, repeated in flight.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Mayrimunia tristissima
- Authority
- (Wallace, 1865)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Genus
- Mayrimunia
Range and habitat
Endemic to New Guinea and some adjacent islands. It has been recorded from Saibai Island, Queensland, Australian territory in north-western Torres Strait. Its preferred habitat is the grassy fringes of streams, forest clearings and abandoned gardens with secondary growth, in lowland New Guinea up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft) altitude.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
A globular grass nest is constructed with side entrance, often suspended from rattans, in forest or at forest edge.<p>The diet is mainly seeds and berries but it also includes some insects.
Conservation
As a species with a large range and no evidence of population decline, it is assessed as being of Least Concern.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Cambodian Tailorbird
Orthotomus chaktomuk
This small slate-gray tailorbird is restricted to dense floodplain scrub in southeastern Cambodia. Males have a patchy black throat and both sexes have an orange crown that is slightly more extensive in males. Forages low in dense vegetation, often in pairs. As with many other tailorbirds, song is loud, vibrant, and variable; calls are squeaky and nasal.
Annam Prinia
Prinia rocki
A dull and poorly marked prinia with a strong bill and a long, graduated tail. Light brown above with faint dark streaking. Pale below, sometimes with some dark smudging along the sides of the breast. In breeding plumage, develops a rufous wash on the underparts. Found at moderate elevations in open dry forest, shrubby areas, and forest or agricultural edges. Can be retiring and difficult to see in dense vegetation. Sings two different song types: a dry rolling trill and a repeated two-syllabled “tulip.” Separated from other prinias by its plainness and lack of contrasting head markings.
Southern Bentbill
Oncostoma olivaceum
A tiny well-named flycatcher with a distinctive bent bill like a broken nose. It is olive-green above with paler yellowish underparts. Note the pale gray eyes. Inconspicuous; typically seen singly in the understory of lowland forest, edge, and second-growth. Best detected by trilling calls. Occurs from Panama to Colombia; no range overlap with similar Northern Bentbill.
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