Tricolored Munia

The Tricoloured Munia, Lonchura malacca, is a medium-sized estrildid finch with a distinctive tri-color pattern. It is native to parts of South and Southeast Asia and has been introduced to various other regions.

Identification Tips

Adult Tricoloured Munias exhibit a striking black head, throat, and upper breast, contrasting with their white lower breast and flanks. The upper body is a warm chestnut, while the rump and uppertail coverts are reddish-maroon, with males typically showing brighter hues. Juveniles, however, lack the dark head and are generally pale brown above with buff underparts, which can lead to confusion with other munia species.

Habitat

This species is found in wet grasslands and tropical lowland moist forests, often forming flocks that feed on grains and seeds.

Distribution

The Tricoloured Munia is indigenous to Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and southern China. It has also established populations in the Caribbean and parts of South America due to introductions.

Behaviour

These gregarious birds are known for their social nature, often seen in flocks. They exhibit a fascinating courtship display involving males carrying grass blades and performing an energetic dance to attract females.

Song & Calls

The male's courtship song is a quiet affair, often imperceptible to human ears, which accompanies the visual display of dance during mating rituals.

Breeding

Nest building is a joint effort between the male and female, resulting in a large, loosely constructed oval nest with a single entrance. Clutches typically consist of 4 to 7 eggs, with both parents sharing incubation duties over a period of 12 to 13 days. The young are brooded for about 8 to 10 days and fledge approximately three weeks later.

Similar Species

Juvenile Tricoloured Munias can be confused with young Scaly-breasted Munias due to their similar pale brown and buff coloring.

Diet and Feeding

The diet consists mainly of grain and seeds, which they forage for in their grassland and forest habitats.

Conservation Status

The Tricoloured Munia is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of widespread decline.

Invasive History

Introduced populations have become established in various regions outside their native range, often due to their release from captivity. In some areas, they have adapted well to local conditions, leading to population increases and concerns about their impact on native species and agriculture.