White-rumped Munia

The White-rumped Munia or White-rumped Mannikin (Lonchura striata) is a small passerine bird. This estrildid finch is a common resident breeding bird in tropical southern Asia from the Indian subcontinent east to southern China and Indonesia.

The White-rumped Munia is a tiny gregarious bird which feeds mainly on seeds. It frequents open woodland, grassland and scrub. The nest is a large domed grass structure in a tree, bush or grass into which 3-8 white eggs are laid.

The White-rumped Munia is 10-11cm in length with a long black tail. The adult of the south Indian race L. s. striata has a stubby bill, dark brown upperparts, head, breast and wings, and white underparts and rump.

The sexes are similar, but there is racial variation. Northern L. s. acuticauda has paler brown upperparts and breast, and buff underparts. The rump only is white.

Reference

• Birds of India by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp, ISBN 0-691-04910-6