Chestnut-breasted Munia
Lonchura castaneothorax
Small brownish bird with black face, gray grown, and warm brown chest separated from white belly by distinct black band. Juveniles very plain brownish but usually accompany adults. Frequents very long grass, typically beside wetlands and swamps, across northern and eastern Australia, often in sizable flocks. Often first detected by distinctive bell-like "tink" call.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Lonchura castaneothorax
- Authority
- (Gould, 1837)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Genus
- Lonchura
Range and habitat
In Australia, the chestnut-breasted mannikin is known as a bird of reed beds and rank grasses bordering rivers, in swamp, in grassy country, and mangroves. It is commonly found in cane fields and cereal crops. In dry seasons, it is seen in arid country but always near water. It is also found in grassy woodland.<p>John Gould wrote of it (quoted in Cayley, 1932):<p>I had not the good fourtune to meet with this bird in a state of nature, but I have been informed that it frequents reed beds bordering the banks of rivers and lagoons on the eastern coast, and that it much resembles the Bearded Tit Panurus biarmicus, of Europe in the alertness with which it passes up and down the upright stems of reeds, from the lower part to the very top, a habit for which the lengthened and curved form of its claws seem well adapted.<p>In New Guinea, the chestnut-breasted mannikin is a bird of drier areas and does not usually seen in jungle roads and clearings where other munias such as grey-headed mannikin are found.<p>In French Polynesia, it is well established as an introduced species, and its habits have developed somewhat differently, indicating the adaptability of the species. It is widespread on the bracken-covered hill slopes, in pastures and gardens (it is not a garden bird in Australia), on cultivated land and wasteland, in forest ecotones and coconut plantations (Lever 1989).
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
White-browed Forest-Flycatcher
Fraseria cinerascens
An easily overlooked flycatcher of lowland forests near large waterways, lurking in the lower parts of the forest in shady areas or near cover. Distinctively dark gray above and pale scalloped gray below, with a bright white throat and a bright white spot in front of the eye. Distinguished from other flycatchers by its affinity for water combined with its bright white lores. Song consists of long, deliberate buzzy whistles rising and falling in pitch: “Dzhreee? Dzhreeerr. Dzhreeeer?”
Dybowski's Twinspot
Euschistospiza dybowskii
An unusual dark twinspot with a gray hood, a red back and rump, and large white “twin spots” on the belly. Found in areas of tall grass, both in lush savanna and along forest edge. Usually in pairs or small groups. Most similar to Brown Twinspot, but separated by many details, including the red back and the twin spots restricted to the belly. The calls are simple, often repeated “seet” and “veet” notes. The song is a variable mix of the call notes, plus high-pitched bubbling and squealing notes.
Gray-breasted Spurfowl
Pternistis rufopictus
A large gray-and-brown francolin with bare red skin on the throat and around the eyes. Also note the red bill, the dark gray legs, and the chestnut, buff, and black markings along the sides of the belly. Pale patches in the outer wings are conspicuous in flight. Found in fairly dry thorn savanna, woodland, and thickets, usually in pairs or small groups. Similar to Red-necked Francolin, but there is little overlap in range, and separated by the brown legs and many plumage details. Also similar to Yellow-necked Francolin, but easily separated by the red or sometimes orange (rather than yellow) throat. The call is a fading series of grating “kreaaak” notes.
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