. Manikins (nuns/munias)
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There are different species like black headed munia ‑ Lonchura malacca, white backed munia ‑Lonchura striata, spotted munia ‑ Lonchura punctulata.
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Munias are very popular as cage birds. During the breeding season the cock sings weakly for his mate. Munias are very sociable birds.
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Lonchura is a genus of the estrildid finch family, and includes munias (or minias), mannikins, and silverbills.
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They are resident breeding birds in Africa and in South Asia from India and Sri Lanka east to Indonesia and the Philippines.
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The name mannikin is from Middle Dutch mannekijn 'little man' (also the source of the different bird name manakin.
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Some of the Lonchura species were formerly placed in Spermestes. Others have been placed in a genus of their own
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They are small gregarious birds which feed mainly on seeds, usually in relatively open habitats, preferring to feed on the ground or on reeds and grasses.
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Several species have been noted to feed on algae such as Spirogyra.
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The nest is a large domed grass structure into which 4–10 white eggs are laid. Some species also build communal roosting nests for overnight rest.
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The species in this genus are similar in size and structure, with stubby bills, stocky bodies and long tails. Most are 10–12 cm in length.
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Plumage is usually a combination of browns, black and white, with the sexes similar, but duller and less contrasted for immature birds.
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The similarities within this group and the existence of subspecies with differing vocalisations and plumage mean that some races may be elevated to species status.
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African and Indian Silverbill are now usually considered distinct species, and the two races of Black-throated Munia are often also split.
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The munias are popular in the bird trade and many freed or escaped birds have formed feral colonies in different pockets across the world.
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The Red Munia Estrilda amandava and Green Munia Estrilda formosa also take the name munia, but are in the Estrilda genus.
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Last modified: Thursday, 7 June 2012, 10:53 AM