Photo: Francesco Veronesi from Italy / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Madagascar Mannikin
Lepidopygia nana
Madagascar Mannikin (Lepidopygia nana) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Madagascar Mannikin (Lepidopygia nana) is a member of the Estrildidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 8.2 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Estrildidae Waxbills, Munias & Allies
- Genus Lepidopygia
- Species nana
Quick facts
- Weight
- 8.2 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Madagascar Mannikin is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open woodland, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Madagascar Mannikin is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Madagascar Mannikin (Lepidopygia nana) is a species of bird in the Estrildidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Madagascar.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 8.2 g, with a wing length of about 4.5 cm and a tail of around 3.7 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 591,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Madagascar Mannikin?
The Madagascar Mannikin is a very small bird that weighs around 8.2 g.
Where does the Madagascar Mannikin live?
The Madagascar Mannikin is found across Africa with a range covering AF Madagascar, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Madagascar Mannikin belong to?
The Madagascar Mannikin (Lepidopygia nana) belongs to the Estrildidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Madagascar Mannikin eat?
The Madagascar Mannikin is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Madagascar Mannikin migrate?
The Madagascar Mannikin is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Madagascar Mannikin endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Madagascar Mannikin make?
1 real field recording of the Madagascar Mannikin — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Madagascar Mannikin's range?
The Madagascar Mannikin has a mapped global range of about 591,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
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