We went on a birding trip to Marina East a few weeks ago. As usual, it was a great learning experience with GD in our group. One of the birds we saw was the Black-headed Munia (Lonchura malacca) also known as the Chestnut Munia.
Munias belong to the family Estrildinae. These birds have a small rounded body and a conical bill that is well suited in handling their main diet, seeds. Adult Black-headed Munias are easily recognized by their chestnut plumage and a black hooded head. In Singapore, they are commonly encountered in grassland habitat and areas of secondary growth and cultivation. They are usually seen in groups as they fly and forage from one area to another over open country, reminding me of an air raiding gang of hooded robbers.
The excellent Bird Ecology Study Group blog has a very interesting posting on tailless Black-headed Munias.
Picture taken at: Marina East, January 2007.
References:
Davison, G.W.H. & Y. F. Chew, 1995. A Photographic Guide to Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd, London.
Robson, C., 2000. A Field Guide to the Birds of South-east Asia, New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd, London.
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