Photo: Stresemann, 1934 / CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Black Mannikin
Lonchura stygia
Black Mannikin (Lonchura stygia) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Australia & Oceania.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Black Mannikin (Lonchura stygia) is a member of the Estrildidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 11.2 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 Lonchura
- Species stygia
Quick facts
- Weight
- 11.2 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Black Mannikin is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Black Mannikin is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Black Mannikin (Lonchura stygia) belongs to the Estrildidae family of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU s Trans-Fly (sc New Guinea).
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 11.2 g, with a wing length of about 5.1 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 19,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Black Mannikin?
The Black Mannikin is a very small bird that weighs around 11.2 g.
Where does the Black Mannikin live?
The Black Mannikin is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU s Trans-Fly (sc New Guinea), where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Black Mannikin belong to?
The Black Mannikin (Lonchura stygia) belongs to the Estrildidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Black Mannikin eat?
The Black Mannikin is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Black Mannikin migrate?
The Black Mannikin is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Black 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 Black Mannikin's range?
The Black Mannikin has a mapped global range of about 19,000 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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