Photo: Francesco Veronesi from Italy / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Grey-headed Mannikin
Lonchura caniceps
Grey-headed Mannikin (Lonchura caniceps) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Australia & Oceania.
The Grey-headed Mannikin (Lonchura caniceps) is a member of the Estrildidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 11.5 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 caniceps
Quick facts
- Weight
- 11.5 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Grey-headed Mannikin 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 Grey-headed Mannikin is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Grey-headed Mannikin (Lonchura caniceps) is a species of bird in the Estrildidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU se New Guinea.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 11.5 g, with a wing length of about 4.9 cm and a tail of around 3.9 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 45,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Grey-headed Mannikin?
The Grey-headed Mannikin is a very small bird that weighs around 11.5 g.
Where does the Grey-headed Mannikin live?
The Grey-headed Mannikin is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU se New Guinea, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Grey-headed Mannikin belong to?
The Grey-headed Mannikin (Lonchura caniceps) belongs to the Estrildidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Grey-headed Mannikin eat?
The Grey-headed Mannikin is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Grey-headed Mannikin migrate?
The Grey-headed Mannikin is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Grey-headed 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.
How large is the Grey-headed Mannikin's range?
The Grey-headed Mannikin has a mapped global range of about 45,000 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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