Bronze Mannikin
Spermestes cucullata
A tiny gregarious species of savannahs, weedy fields, scrub, and agricultural lands; often found in flocks of dozens to hundreds. Note the adult’s glossy black head, bronzy-brown back, barred rump and vent, and bicolored black and blue-gray bill. Juveniles are uniformly dull brown with a dark bill and are almost always in the company of adults. Vocalizations include a quick squeaky “djip” or “djup” sometimes given as a rapid twitter.
Identification
The bronze mannikin is one of the smallest munia species, measuring 9–10 cm in length and weighing 7–12 grams. The adult is a compact bird with a short black tail, and stubby black and pale grey (not distinctly bluish) mandibles. It is black to brownish black on the head, chin, throat and center of the chest, with some purple-green iridescence on the face and sides of the breast. It has greyish brown upper parts and white underparts with irregular barring on the flanks and rump. A small green iridescent patch is present on the outer scapular feathers, besides, especially in the western race, the sides of the lower breast. Wing coverts and remiges are bordered in a paler or warmer tone. The sexes are similar. Immature birds are dun brown above with buff head and underpart plumage. They moult into full adult plumage by age six months, when the males also begin to sing and exhibit breeding behaviour. The race S. c. scutata has barred rather than bronzy green plumage at the junction of the lower breast and flanks. Rump and upper tail feathers only finely barred and almost uniformly dark. These characters are however somewhat variable and unpredictable.<p>This species has a number of calls including a rreep-rreeep in flight, a twittering when perched, consisting of various wheezy or buzzing notes. The song is a concatenated and somewhat repetitive series of notes.
Taxonomy
The bronze mannikin was formally described in 1837 by the English naturalist William John Swainson and given the binomial name Spermestes cucullata. The specific epithet is from Late Latin cucullatus meaning "hooded". The type locality is Senegal.<p>Two subspecies are recognised:
- Scientific name
- Spermestes cucullata
- Authority
- Swainson, 1837
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Genus
- Spermestes
Range and habitat
The bronze mannikin is native to mainland Africa and the Bioko, Pemba, Zanzibar, Mafia and Comoro islands, and has been introduced to Puerto Rico, where it is established. The two accepted races have an extensive region around the upper Nile River which is inhabited by birds with intermediate features. A proposed third race, S. c. subsp. tressellata Clancey, 1964 is not generally recognized.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The bronze mannikin is a tiny gregarious bird which feeds mainly on seeds, including wild grass seeds, millet, rice and grain. Alternatively termites, nectar or strands of algae may also be eaten. Before going to roost at nightfall, they usually visit a watering hole where vegetation is hanging into the water. They roost at night in ball-shaped nests, which in the non-breeding season are built solely for this purpose. These slovenly communal roosting nests are dismantled (for reuse of material) and rebuilt almost daily at the same or a new location, in a communal effort. Each party, numbering 8 to 20 birds, seems to be dominated by a single adult male. The flock defends the immediate vicinity of a nest against intruders, but newcomers to a flock are easily accepted. They may associate with waxbill or other mannikin species, and may also use their vacated nests. Pairs often allopreen.<p>They are incessant nest builders that may raise up to four broods a year, given favourable circumstances. The nest is a large domed grass structure in a tree, into which 4 to 8 small, white eggs are laid. Incubation takes 12 days, and chicks fledge after three weeks, and are independent in another three weeks. The chicks are reared on soft green seeds and insects.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Blue-footed Booby
Sula nebouxii
Large seabird of inshore waters, often seen from beaches but not usually up close. Adult has streaky brown-and-white neck and bright blue feet. Immature has dusky brownish head and neck and grayish feet. All plumages told from Brown Booby by white at the base and tip of the tail. Typically flies and soars fairly high up. Feeds by spectacular, steep-angle plunge-dives. Breeds locally in colonies on offshore islands, nesting on the ground. Most well-known from the Galapagos but occurs extensively along the Pacific coast of Middle and South America, especially in the Gulf of California.
Chinese Rubythroat
Calliope tschebaiewi
Handsome male is gray above with a bright red throat, black chest, and white belly. Also note white eyebrows and “moustache” stripe, as well as white panels and edges on a black tail. Female is duller, cold gray-brown above with a white belly and throat. Extremely similar to Himalayan Rubythroat: note gray flecking on white flanks of male and white “moustache” (striking in males, pale and sometimes unnoticeable in females). Breeds in alpine and subalpine open areas with scattered scrub and boulders; preferred habitat averages higher and more open than Himalayan. Winters in lowland scrub. Song is a series of loud rich warbles, which average shorter and less varied than those of Himalayan Rubythroat.
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Dendrocygna autumnalis
Gangly duck with long neck and legs. Unmistakable adult has chestnut-and-black body with electric pink legs and bill. Look for the bold white wing stripe, especially visible in flight. Juvenile is duller brownish overall with gray bill and legs. Young birds could be confused with Fulvous Whistling-Duck, but juvenile Black-bellied has a white wing stripe and typically shows some black coming in on the sides and belly. Flocks gather in marshes, lakes, rice fields, and swamps, sometimes by the hundreds. Active day and night. Occurs throughout Middle and South America. Range is expanding northward in the U.S., but still largely restricted to southern states. Vocal and conspicuous; listen for wheezy whistles and chirps.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.