Scaly breasted munia

Scaly-breasted munia

 The scaly-breasted munia or spotted munia (Lonchura punctulata), known in the pet trade as nutmeg mannikin or spice finch, is a sparrow-sized estrildid finch, Its name is based on the distinct scale-like feather markings on the breast and belly. The adult is brown above and has a dark conical bill.

 all photographs are captured in Lodha heaven dombivili east, Thane, Maharastra

 This munia eats mainly on grass seeds apart from berries and small insects. The species is highly social and may sometimes roost with other species of munias. This species is found in tropical plains and grasslands. Breeding pairs construct dome-shaped nests using grass or bamboo leaves.

 a group of scaly breasted munia

 Immature scaly breasted munia

Immature scaly breasted munia

Immature birds have pale brown upperparts, lack the dark head found in adults, and have uniform buff underparts that can be confused with juveniles of other munia species.

 Immature scaly breasted munia feeds

 Immature scaly breasted munia

 Immature scaly breasted munia

 Immature scaly breasted munia

a pair of scaly breasted munia

The scaly-breasted munia is about 11–12 centimetres long and weighs 12–16 grams. The adult has a stubby dark bill typical of grain eating birds, brown upperparts and a dark brown head. The underparts are white with dark scale markings. The sexes are similar, although males have darker markings on the underside and a darker throat than females.

 The breeding season is during the summer rainy season (mainly June to August) There are two types of slope posture, a pre-copulatory one and an ordinary one. The pre-copulatory behavior of scaly-breasted munia includes a sequence of actions. The first involves either the male or female playing with nest-material. As soon as a bird has arranged the nest material in its bill, it begins to fly around in a zig-zag path. Once a bird lands close to its partner, the male bends towards the female and wipes its bill. The male then sings with movements of the body. The female invites mounting with tail quivering.

The nest is a large domed structure loosely woven from blades of grass, bamboo or other leaves with a side entrance and is placed in a tree or under the eaves of a house.

Scaly-breasted munia clutch usually contain 4 to 6 eggs, Both sexes build the nest and incubate the eggs, which hatch in 10 to 16 days. Scaly-breasted munias have a typical life expectancy of 6 to 8 years.^{[citation needed]}

The scaly-breasted munia feeds mainly on seeds but also eats small berries the bill is suited for crushing small grains,

Scaly-breasted munias are found in a range of habitas but are usually close to water and grassland. In India, they are especially common in paddy fields where they are considered a minor pest on account of their feeding on grain. 

 a pair of scaly breasted munia

Scaly breasted munia with red avidot female

 all photographs are captured in Lodha heaven dombivili east, Thane, Maharastra