Bird guideScaly-breasted Munia

Native to India and Southeast Asia, with introduced populations scattered elsewhere around the world.

⚠️Not listed
🍃Indigenous: Nutmeg Munia

At a glance

FamilyWaxbills and Allies
SizeSmall
RarityCommon
HabitatThis species is found in tropical plains and grasslands .
Best timeReported across most months in Queensland, with no narrow seasonal peak.

Sounds

Sound sample
0:000:00
Recorded by Joan Theng

Range map

Range map

337visible hotspots
24288visible records
2states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence

Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.

Species notes

Overview

Typical adults dark chestnut-brown above, white below, with fine dark scaly pattern on belly; some populations duller brown. Juveniles plain brown all over with slightly paler underparts. Typically found in small flocks, sometimes mixed with other species of munia.

Behavior

They forage in flocks and communicate with soft calls and whistles. The species is highly social and may sometimes roost with other species of munias. Breeding pairs construct dome-shaped nests using grass or bamboo leaves.

Regional timing

Queensland
Peak: March to January22,620 records
New South Wales
Peak: October to November1,662 records
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