Photo: Ian Dugdale / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
White-bellied Munia
Lonchura leucogastra
White-bellied Munia (Lonchura leucogastra) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The White-bellied Munia (Lonchura leucogastra) is a member of the Estrildidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 11.4 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 leucogastra
Quick facts
- Weight
- 11.4 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The White-bellied Munia is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open forest, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The White-bellied Munia is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The White-bellied Munia (Lonchura leucogastra) is a member of the Estrildidae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR Malay Pen. to Philippines, Borneo and w Java.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 11.4 g, with a wing length of about 5 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 1.5 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the White-bellied Munia?
The White-bellied Munia is a very small bird that weighs around 11.4 g.
Where does the White-bellied Munia live?
The White-bellied Munia is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR Malay Pen. to Philippines, Borneo and w Java, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the White-bellied Munia belong to?
The White-bellied Munia (Lonchura leucogastra) belongs to the Estrildidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the White-bellied Munia eat?
The White-bellied Munia is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the White-bellied Munia migrate?
The White-bellied Munia is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the White-bellied 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 White-bellied Munia make?
1 real field recording of the White-bellied Munia — 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 White-bellied Munia's range?
The White-bellied Munia has a mapped global range of about 1.5 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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