Western Alpine Mannikin

The Western Alpine Mannikin, also known as the Snow Mountain Mannikin or Western Alpine Munia, is a diminutive estrildid finch, measuring approximately 11.5 cm in length. This species exhibits a dark brown plumage, a striking black face, a buff chest, and a distinctive black-barred white abdomen.

Identification Tips

Adults of both sexes are similar in appearance, characterized by their dark brown feathers and contrasting black facial markings. The chest's buff coloration transitions to a black-barred white on the abdomen, providing a key identification marker. Juveniles can be recognized by their black bill, dark brown plumage, and buffy-white underparts.

Habitat

The Western Alpine Mannikin is endemic to Indonesia, where it thrives in the alpine grasslands of the Snow Mountains and Star Mountains in western New Guinea.

Distribution

This bird is a native resident of western New Guinea, specifically within the alpine grassland regions.

Behaviour

These social birds are typically observed in flocks ranging from six to twenty individuals, often seen flitting about in their high-altitude grassland homes.

Diet and Feeding

The Western Alpine Mannikin's diet is primarily composed of seeds, grasses, and other vegetation, which it forages from its alpine grassland habitat.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species currently lists the Western Alpine Mannikin as Least Concern, indicating that, at present, this species does not face an immediate threat of extinction in its natural habitat.