Scaly-breasted Munia Identification

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Scaly-breasted Munia Photos and Videos

Adult (Scaled)

A small songbird with a large, seedeating bill. Adult is brown above, often with fine white streaking, and white below, with dark scaling.

Adult (Checkered)

The “Checkered” subspecies group, native to South Asia and introduced to parts of the continental U.S., has a chestnut-brown head, distinctive black (not brown) scalloping on the underparts, and orange uppertail coverts.

Adult

A small songbird with a large bill. Adult has brown upperparts, head, and throat, and white underparts with fine dark scalloping.

Immature

Juvenile has plain brown upperparts and buffy, unmarked underparts. Very similar to juveniles of other munia species and best identified by association with adult Scaly-breasted Munia.

Adult (Scaled)

Adults in the “Scaled” subspecies group, found across Southeast Asia, are variable in appearance, but always lack the black scalloping and orange uppertail coverts of the “Checkered” group.

Adult (Checkered)

Uses its heavy bill to eat the seeds of grasses and other plants. Adult in the “Checkered” subspecies group has crisp black scalloping on the underparts and a rich chestnut brown head.

Adult (Checkered)

Adult’s scaly breast clearly differentiates this species from other munias, with which it sometimes flocks. This individual’s black underpart markings and orange uppertail coverts identify it as part of the “Checkered” subspecies group.

Adult (Checkered)

Introduced to parts of North America, Europe, and Australia, as well as Japan, the Hawaiian Islands, Mauritius, and Reunion. Note pointed tail.

Adult and immature (Checkered)

A social bird that forages in small groups while breeding and in larger flocks at other times of the year. Immature (in background) is buffy-brown above and slightly paler below. This individual is just starting to show some rich brown on the lower throat.

Adult and immature (Checkered)

Frequently forages in small groups, perching atop and feeding on grasses and other seeding plants.

Adult (Checkered)

Builds a large, loose nest of grasses and leaves.

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Identification

Attractive small songbird of grasslands, gardens, fields, and agricultural areas. Native to India and Southeast Asia, with introduced populations scattered elsewhere around the world. Typical adults dark chestnut-brown above, white below, with fine dark scaly pattern on belly; some populations duller brown. Juveniles plain brown all over with slightly paler underparts. Typically found in small flocks, sometimes mixed with other species of munia.

Relative Size

Smaller than a House Sparrow.

Size chart showing sparrow to goose sized

sparrow-sized or smaller

Measurements

Both Sexes
- Length: 3.9-4.9 in (10-12.5 cm)
- Weight: 0.4-0.6 oz (12-16 g)

Regional Differences

Ornithologists recognize two Scaly-breasted Munia subspecies groups: a “Checkered” group found from Nepal through most of India to Sri Lanka, and a “Scaled” group that ranges from northeastern India across Southeast Asia to Indonesia. Adults in the “Checkered” group are unique in having orange uppertail coverts and black scaly markings on the breast. Adults in the “Scaled” group are more variable, with brown to reddish scalloping on the breast, and uppertail coverts ranging from salmon-ochre to pale olive-gray. The “Checkered” group has been introduced to the continental United States, while the “Scaled” group has been introduced to Japan, Australia, the Hawaiian Islands, and the Caribbean.