Photo: John Gerrard Keulemans / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Mottled Mannikin
Lonchura hunsteini
Mottled Mannikin (Lonchura hunsteini) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Australia & Oceania.
The Mottled Mannikin (Lonchura hunsteini) is a member of the Estrildidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 13.3 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 hunsteini
Quick facts
- Weight
- 13.3 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 Mottled Mannikin is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Mottled Mannikin is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Mottled Mannikin (Lonchura hunsteini) belongs to the Estrildidae family of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU New Ireland (ne Bismarck Arch.).
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 13.3 g, with a wing length of about 4.7 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 4,118 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Mottled Mannikin?
The Mottled Mannikin is a very small bird that weighs around 13.3 g.
Where does the Mottled Mannikin live?
The Mottled Mannikin is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU New Ireland (ne Bismarck Arch.), where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Mottled Mannikin belong to?
The Mottled Mannikin (Lonchura hunsteini) belongs to the Estrildidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Mottled Mannikin eat?
The Mottled Mannikin is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Mottled Mannikin migrate?
The Mottled Mannikin is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Mottled 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 Mottled Mannikin make?
1 real field recording of the Mottled Mannikin — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Mottled Mannikin's range?
The Mottled Mannikin has a mapped global range of about 4,118 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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