Chestnut Munia
Lonchura atricapilla
Chestnut Munia (Lonchura atricapilla) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 14 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Chestnut Munia (Lonchura atricapilla) is a member of the Estrildidae family found in Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 12.4 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 Lonchura
- Species atricapilla
Quick facts
- Weight
- 12.4 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Chestnut Munia is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Chestnut Munia is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Chestnut Munia (Lonchura atricapilla) belongs to the Estrildidae family of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR, AU India to Indonesia, Philippines.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 12.4 g, with a wing length of about 5.2 cm and a tail of around 3.4 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 4.1 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Chestnut Munia?
The Chestnut Munia is a very small bird that weighs around 12.4 g.
Where does the Chestnut Munia live?
The Chestnut Munia is found across Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR, AU India to Indonesia, Philippines, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Chestnut Munia belong to?
The Chestnut Munia (Lonchura atricapilla) belongs to the Estrildidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Chestnut Munia eat?
The Chestnut Munia is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Chestnut Munia migrate?
The Chestnut Munia is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Chestnut Munia 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 Chestnut Munia make?
1 real field recording of the Chestnut Munia — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Chestnut Munia's range?
The Chestnut Munia has a mapped global range of about 4.1 million 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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