NUTMEG MANNIKIN

Photographed in Caines, Queensland October 2015

712              NUTMEG MANNIKIN             Lonchura punctulata

Australia          (554)

Also known as Spice Finch, Spice Bird, Scaly-breasted Munia or Scaly Breasted Mannikin. Found in grasslands, crops, rank roadside growth urban wastelands, lantana thickets, vineyards. 10.5-11.5 cm. Range: native from India to s. China, Malaysia, Philippines to e. Indonesia. Introduced from aviary escapes near Brisbane, Townsville, Rockhampton (Q), Sydney (NSW), from c. 1930. Widespread from c. Cooktown (Q) to Moruya (NSW), mostly coastal but inland to Miles (Q), Mudgee (NSW). Common, expanding.