Munia
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"Mannikin" redirects here. For models of the human body, see Mannequin.
Munia 
Chestnut-breasted Munia Lonchura castaneothorax Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Passeriformes Family: Estrildidae Genus: Lonchura
Sykes, 1832Species See text.
Lonchura is a genus of the estrildid finch family, and includes munias (or minias), mannikins, and silverbills. They are resident breeding birds in Africa and in South Asia from India and Sri Lanka east to Indonesia and the Philippines. The name mannikin is from Middle Dutch mannekijn 'little man' (also the source of the different bird name manakin).[1]
Some of the Lonchura species were formerly placed in Spermestes. Others have been placed in a genus of their own, Euodice.
Contents
Characteristics
They are small gregarious birds which feed mainly on seeds, usually in relatively open habitats, preferring to feed on the ground or on reeds and grasses. Several species have been noted to feed on algae such as Spirogyra.[2][3]
The nest is a large domed grass structure into which 4–10 white eggs are laid. Some species also build communal roosting nests for overnight rest.
The species in this genus are similar in size and structure, with stubby bills, stocky bodies and long tails. Most are 10–12 cm in length. Plumage is usually a combination of browns, black and white, with the sexes similar, but duller and less contrasted for immature birds.
The similarities within this group and the existence of subspecies with differing vocalisations and plumage mean that some races may be elevated to species status. African and Indian Silverbill are now usually considered distinct species, and the two races of Black-throated Munia are often also split.
The munias are popular in the bird trade and many freed or escaped birds have formed feral colonies in different pockets across the world.
The Red Munia Estrilda amandava and Green Munia Estrilda formosa also take the name munia, but are in the Estrilda genus.
Species
Indian Silverbill Lonchura malabarica
Tricoloured Munia Lonchura malacca
Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata- Madagascar Munia, Lonchura nana
- African Silverbill, Lonchura cantans
- Indian Silverbill, Lonchura malabarica also known as White-throated Munia
- Grey-headed Silverbill, Lonchura griseicapilla
- Bronze Mannikin, Lonchura cucullata also known as Bronze Munia
- Black-and-white Mannikin, Lonchura bicolor also known as Black-and-white Munia
- Brown-backed Mannikin, Lonchura nigriceps also known as Brown-backed Munia
- Magpie Mannikin, Lonchura fringilloides also known as Magpie Munia
- White-rumped Munia, Lonchura striata
- Javan Munia, Lonchura leucogastroides
- Dusky Munia, Lonchura fuscans
- Black-faced Munia, Lonchura molucca
- Black-throated Munia, Lonchura kelaarti also known as Jerdon's Mannikin
- Scaly-breasted Munia, Lonchura punctulata also known as Nutmeg Mannikin or Spice Finch
- White-bellied Munia, Lonchura leucogastra
- Streak-headed Munia, Lonchura tristissima
- L. t. tristissima
- L. t. leucosticta
- Black-headed Munia, Lonchura atricapilla also known as Chestnut Munia
- Tricoloured Munia, Lonchura malacca
- White-capped Munia, Lonchura ferruginosa
- Cream-bellied Munia, Lonchura pallidiventer
- Five-colored Munia, Lonchura quinticolor
- White-headed Munia, Lonchura maja
- Pale-headed Munia, Lonchura pallida
- Grand Munia, Lonchura grandis
- Grey-banded Munia, Lonchura vana
- Grey-crowned Munia, Lonchura nevermanni
- Hooded Munia, Lonchura spectabilis
- Grey-headed Munia, Lonchura caniceps
- Mottled Munia, Lonchura hunsteini
- New Ireland Munia, Lonchura forbesi
- New Hanover Munia, Lonchura nigerrima
- Yellow-rumped Munia, Lonchura flaviprymna
- Chestnut-breasted Munia, Lonchura castaneothorax
- Black Munia, Lonchura stygia
- Black-breasted Munia, Lonchura teerinki
- Snow Mountain Munia, Lonchura montana
- Alpine Munia, Lonchura monticola
- Bismarck Munia, Lonchura melaena
Notes
- ^ New Oxford American Dictionary (2nd ed., 2005), p. 1032.
- ^ Pillai, N. G. 1968 The green algae, Spirogyra sp., in the diet of the White-backed Munia, Lonchura striata (Linn.). J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 65: 490-491
- ^ Avery, Michael L. (1980) Diet and breeding seasonality among a population of sharp-tailed munias, Lonchura striata in Malaysia. The Auk 97(1):160-166
References
- Birds of India by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp, ISBN 0-691-04910-6
- Birds of The Gambia by Barlow, Wacher and Disley, ISBN 1-873403-32-1
- Arnaiz-Villena A, Ruiz-del-Valle V, Gomez-Prieto P, Reguera R, Parga-Lozano C, Serano-Vela JI (2009) Estrildinae Finches (Aves, Passeriformes) from Africa, South Asia and Australia: a Molecular Phylogeographic Study. The Open Ornithology Journal 2. ISSN: 1874-4532.
Categories:- Estrildidae
- Genera of birds
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Look at other dictionaries:
munia — ▪ bird any of several small, finchlike Asian birds of the mannikin and waxbill (qq.v.) groups (family Estrildidae, order Passeriformes). The black headed munia, or chestnut mannikin (Lonchura malacca, including atricapilla and ferruginosa) … Universalium
munia — n. (also known as white throated munia) type of bird (native of North America) … English contemporary dictionary
munia — tikrosios munijos statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas atitikmenys: lot. Lonchura angl. mannikin; munia vok. Nonne, f rus. муния, f pranc. capucin, m ryšiai: platesnis terminas – astrildiniai siauresnis terminas – alpinė munija siauresnis… … Paukščių pavadinimų žodynas
munia — communia … Dictionnaire des rimes
munia — /ˈmjuniə/ (say myooneeuh) noun any of various small finch like birds of the genus Lonchura. {New Latin, former genus name, from Hindi} … Australian English dictionary
Munia : The Tale — Munia: The Tale Munia: The Tale Album par Richard Bona Sortie 30 septembre 2003 Enregistrement 2003 à Bonayuma recording Studio (New York, États Unis), Sear Sound (New York, États Unis) et Moftou Studio (Bamako, Ma … Wikipédia en Français
Munia: The Tale — Album par Richard Bona Sortie 30 septembre 2003 Enregistrement 2003 à Bonayuma recording Studio (New York, États Unis), Sear Sound (New York, États Unis) et Moftou Studio (Bamako … Wikipédia en Français
Munia de Álava — Estatua que representa al rey Fruela I de Asturias. Monasterio de Samos. Munia de Álava (¿? después de 768). Reina consorte de Asturias por su matrimonio con el rey Fruela I de Asturias, y madre de Alfonso II el Casto, rey de Asturias … Wikipedia Español
Munia Mayor de Castille — Muniadomna ou Munia, dite Major, de Castille, née en 995 et morte en 1067, fut comtesse de Castille de 1029 à son abdication en 1035. Munia était la fille aînée du riche et puissant comte Sancho García de Castille ; elle épousa en 1010 le… … Wikipédia en Français
Munia castaneothorax — Braunbrustschilffink Braunbrustschilffink (Munia castaneothorax) Systematik Ordnung: Sperlingsvögel (Passeriformes) … Deutsch Wikipedia
