Photo: Naturalis - Zoology and Geology catalogues / CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Western Alpine Mannikin
Lonchura montana
Western Alpine Mannikin (Lonchura montana) — 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 Western Alpine Mannikin (Lonchura montana) is a member of the Estrildidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 15.5 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 montana
Quick facts
- Weight
- 15.5 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Western Alpine 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 Western Alpine Mannikin is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Western Alpine Mannikin (Lonchura montana) is a member of the Estrildidae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU montane wc New Guinea.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 15.5 g, with a wing length of about 6.5 cm and a tail of around 4.3 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 24,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Western Alpine Mannikin?
The Western Alpine Mannikin is a small bird that weighs around 15.5 g.
Where does the Western Alpine Mannikin live?
The Western Alpine Mannikin is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU montane wc New Guinea, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Western Alpine Mannikin belong to?
The Western Alpine Mannikin (Lonchura montana) belongs to the Estrildidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Western Alpine Mannikin eat?
The Western Alpine Mannikin is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Western Alpine Mannikin migrate?
The Western Alpine Mannikin is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Western Alpine 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 Western Alpine Mannikin's range?
The Western Alpine Mannikin has a mapped global range of about 24,000 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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