Indian Silverbill
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| Indian Silverbill | ||||||||||||||
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| Lonchura malabarica Linnaeus, 1758 |
The Indian Silverbill or White-throated Munia (Lonchura malabarica) is a small passerine bird formerly considered conspecific with the closely related African Silverbill, Lonchura cantans. This estrildid finch is a common resident breeding bird in most of the Indian subcontinent.
The Indian Silverbill is a tiny gregarious bird which feeds mainly on seeds. It frequents dry open country and cultivation, especially near water. The nest is a large domed grass structure in a tree, into which 4-10 white eggs are laid.
The Indian Silverbill is 11-11.5cm in length with a long black tail. The adult has a stubby silver-grey bill, buff-brown upperparts, white underparts and rump and dark wings. The sexes are similar, but immatures have buff underparts and a shorter tail.
Reference
- Birds of India by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp, ISBN 0-691-04910-6