The scaly-breasted munia or spotted munia, known in the pet trade as nutmeg mannikin or spice finch, is a sparrow-sized estrildid finch native to tropical Asia. A species of the genus Lonchura, it was formally described and named by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. Its name is based on the distinct scale-like feather markings on the breast and belly. The adult is brown above and has a dark conical bill. The species has 11 subspecies across its range, which differ slightly in size and colour.
Region
South and Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Prefers open, grassy habitats including rice paddies, weedy fields, scrubby edges, and village gardens. Frequently occurs near wetlands and along canal banks where seed-bearing grasses are abundant. It adapts well to human-altered landscapes and is common in agricultural mosaics and suburban parks. Outside its native range it occupies similar open habitats wherever suitable grasses and shrubs are available.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 4/5
Also called nutmeg mannikin or spice finch, it is a small estrildid finch with a distinctive scale-like pattern on the underparts. It is highly gregarious and often forms large flocks that forage together in fields and grasslands. Widely introduced beyond its native Asian range, it is established in several tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. In rice-growing areas it can be a minor crop pest, though overall it is assessed as Least Concern.
juvenile L. p. punctulata, Sri Lanka
![Scaly-breasted munia (subspecies L. m. topela[12]) has established in parts of eastern Australia such as Queensland](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b3/Nutmeg_Mannikin_1.jpg/960px-Nutmeg_Mannikin_1.jpg)
Scaly-breasted munia (subspecies L. m. topela[12]) has established in parts of eastern Australia such as Queensland
Egg of scaly-breasted munia
Adult feeding young
A foraging group
A pair feeding on grains
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically seen in flocks that feed and move together, with communal roosting common. Pairs are monogamous and build ball-shaped grass nests in shrubs, trees, or tall grasses, sometimes nesting semi-colonially. Breeding often coincides with rainy seasons when seeds and insects are plentiful.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Soft twittering trills, sibilant buzzes, and tinkling notes given from perches within the flock. Calls include thin chips and contact notes that help maintain group cohesion.
