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Nutmeg Mannikin
Domesticated Introduced |
| Lonchura punctulata | |
Nutmeg Mannikin: Resident from India to Taiwan, south to Sri Lanka, and through southeast Asia to East Indies and Philippines. Flocks have been observed visiting bird feeders in Orange County & Los Angeles, California. There is a permanent flock living wild at the Los Angeles Zoo & can be seen at the bird feeder at the entrance to the zoo.
Interesting Information
Introduced and established in Hawaii (widespread on all main islands); also introduced to Australia. Preferred habitats include reed beds, rank grass, scrub areas, grasslands, orchards, and cultivated lands, often near human habitation.
Description
Adult Description
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Length Range: 10-12 cm (4-4.75 in)
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Weight: 11-14 g (0.4-0.5 oz)
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Size: Size 1. Very Small (3 - 5 in)
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Color: White, Brown, Buff
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Underparts: Scaled white.
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Upperparts: Red-brown
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Back Pattern: Solid
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Belly Pattern: Scaled or Scalloped
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Breast Pattern: Solid, Scaled or Scalloped
Sex Differences
Sexes Similar
Immature
Juveniles are paler above and buff-brown below.
Photo taken from: The Sibley Field Guide by David Allen Sibley
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Habitat |
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The Nutmeg Mannikin lives in reeds, grasses and especially in the crops around farms. It is also often around disturbed areas and vacant blocks. |
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Behavior |
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Forages in small flocks, usually in trees, but often on ground. Uses feeders extensively. |
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Food |
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Buds, seeds, and fruits. |
Taxonomy
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Subfamily: | Estrildidae |
| Genus: | Lonchura |
| Species: | Lonchura punctulata |
Similar Species |
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The Nutmeg Mannikin often associates with the Chestnut-breasted Mannikin, L. castaneothorax, and is similar in size, but stockier and heavier with a longer tail. The juveniles of both species are quite similar in colour. It is much smaller than sparrows, Passer sp. |
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Bird Sound |
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Eggs look like this |
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Photo taken from: ARCTOS Collaborative Collection Management Solution |
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Sources Used To Construct This Page |
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| All photos and videos © Rick Swartzentrover - Free for non-profit use. | ||||
