Home › Aves › Estrildidae › Tricolored Munia (Lonchura malacca)
SPECIES PROFILE
Tricolored Munia (Lonchura malacca)
Lonchura
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Indian subcontinent southeast Asia
DIET
Omnivorous
HABITAT
Grasslands marshes near water
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Passeriformes
FAMILY
Estrildidae
GENUS
Lonchura
📋 Description
SIZE
11-12 cm long 10-14 g
COLORATION
Black head chest white belly chestnut back
ADAPTATIONS
Small size for seed foraging colonial nesting
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Grasslands marshes near water
DIET
Omnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Indian subcontinent southeast Asia
REPRODUCTION
Lays 4-6 eggs in grass nests incubated 13-15 days
DIET DETAILS
Seeds grains small insects
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Wetland drainage pesticide use
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Colorful Seed-eaters: Tricolored Munias forage with 12-gram bodies eating 5 grams of seeds daily in Gujarat's marshes. Their black heads are striking.
2
Flock Nesters: These munias cover 2000 sq km in Maharashtra's grasslands nesting in grass clumps. Agricultural intensification threatens their food.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Bhigwan Bird Sanctuary in Maharashtra
Jamnagar in Gujarat
Sultanpur National Park in Haryana
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round Grasslands ensure visibility for spotting munias
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Look for tricolored munias in flocks in tall grass
