Thursday, 14 July 2022

Munia 5/6 -White-capped Munia (Black-headed Munia Lonchura Ferruginosa) Lifer 550/688

The White-capped  are introduced bird  to Singapore first from Central Java Indonesia. They are  released or escape caged bird then. Recently there is a small colony of them sighted in Melaka padi field. Whether they are brought directly over or they have move upwards peninsula we will not know. I was also hoping the Javan Munia will migrate further up from southern Johor (Muar side) but alas they have yet to be recorded here.

They are nicknamed "Tricolors Nun" with its distinct white crown and nape, black throated and brown/chestnut back. In Craig's book it is  labelled as subspecies of the Black-headed.  I would consider its a lifer though as  feral birds from Indonesia which have become residents and breeding. here 


In July we saw them mainly in pairs feeding together
  and collecting nesting material. Only at one time I saw them in a flock of  12-15 birds. They are considered pest to padi farmers as they do feed on rice grains. Hope they will not be a nuisance  too much if not they may be eradicated.

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