Bronze mannikin

Bronze mannikin
File:Bronze Mannikin, Bronze Munia, Lonchura cucullata (8035546703).jpg
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Estrildidae
Genus:	Lonchura
Species:	L. cucullata
Binomial name
Lonchura cucullata (Swainson, 1837)
Synonyms
Spermestes cucullatus

The bronze mannikin or bronze munia (Lonchura cucullata) is a small passerine (i.e. perching) bird. This estrildid finch is an abundant resident breeding bird in much of Africa south of the Sahara Desert of dry savanna habitats. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 8,100,000 km².

Characteristics

The bronze mannikin is a tiny gregarious bird which feeds mainly on seeds. It frequents open country and cultivation, especially near water.

The nest is a large domed grass structure in a tree, into which 4-8 white eggs are laid. This species also builds communal roosting nests, used overnight and dismantled and rebuilt daily.

The bronze mannikin is 9–10 cm in length with a long black tail. The adult has a stubby grey bill, brown upperparts, a dark purple head and white underparts with dark flank markings. There is an iridescent green shoulder patch.

The sexes are similar, but immatures are plain brown above with buff head and underparts. This species has a number of calls including a rreep-rreeep in flight and a twittering when perched.

Phylogeny

It has been obtained by Antonio Arnaiz-Villena et al.

Origin

Origin and phylogeny has been obtained by Antonio Arnaiz-Villena et al. Estrildinae may have originated in India and dispersed thereafter (towards Africa and Pacific Ocean habitats).

References

• Birds of The Gambia by Barlow, Wacher and Disley, ISBN 1-873403-32-1
• BirdLife Species Factsheet

External links

• Bronze mannikin - Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds.