Scaly-Breasted-Munia

Lonchura punctulata

This species has multiple common English names. I first learned it as “Nutmeg Mannikin”. But it is also regularly known as the Spotted Munia. Presently, most call it the Scaly-Breasted Munia. Their native range is across South and South-East Asia, as well as in Indonesia and the Philippines. Popular in the pet trade, escaped or released birds have been introduced to many regions of the world. Now we find them in Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico, as well as on Guadeloupe and Dominica Islands, in the Lesser Antilles. In San Diego County we can commonly find them along stream beds and waterways.

Taxonomists call out 12 subspecies.

• L. p. Punctulata lives in Northern Pakistan, India, Nepal terai and Sri Lanka. They have been recorded in NorthEast Afghanistan.

• L. p. Subundulata lives in Bhutan, Bangladesh, NorthEastern India and Western Myanmar.

• L. p. Yunnanensis lives in SouthEastern Tibet, Southern Sichuan, Yunnan (China) and Northern and NorthEastern Myanmar.

• L. p. Topela lives in Southern Myanmar, Thailand, SouthEastern China, Hainan, Taiwan, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

• L. p. Cabanisi lives in the Philippines (Luzon, Mindoro, Calauit, Palawan, Panay, Negros, Cebu, Mindanao) and Northern Borneo (coastal West Sabah and Brunei).

• L. p. Fretensis lives on the Southern Malay Peninsula, Singapore, Sumatra and Nias Island, the Riau and Lingga Archipelagos, Bangka and Belitung.

• L. p. Nisoria lives in Java, Bali, Lombok and Sumbawa.

• L. p. Sumbae lives in Sumba, in western Lesser Sundas.

• L. p. Blasii lives in Central and Eastern Lesser Sundas.

• L. p. Particeps lives in Sulawesi.

• L. p. Baweana lives in NE Java on Bawean Island.

• L. p. Holmesi lives in Southeast Borneo.

These birds will nest in bushes or trees to heights of 12 to 40 feet. They sometimes use old nests of other birds. Scaly-Breasted-Munias are a communal species, usually found in mobs. Even nesting is done in groups, with up to 10 nests in a single tree.

When I’ve met these birds in San Diego County, I often hear their calls before I see them. Usually there is a water body or stream bed nearby.