Streak-headed mannikin
| Streak-headed mannikin | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Estrildidae |
| Genus: | Lonchura |
| Species: | L. tristissima |
| Binomial name | |
| Lonchura tristissima (Wallace, 1865) | |
The streak-headed mannikin (Lonchura tristissima) also known as the streak-headed munia, and including the white-spotted mannikin (L. t. leucosticta), is a small (10 cm (3.9 in) in length) estrildid finch. Some taxonomists consider ssp. leucosticta a distinct species.
Identification
Mainly dark brown plumage with light streaking on head and yellowish rump; subspecies leucosticta also with white spotting on face, breast and upper wing-coverts.
Call
Short buzzing note, repeated in flight.
Distribution
Endemic to New Guinea and some adjacent islands. It has been recorded from Saibai Island, Queensland, Australian territory in north-western Torres Strait.
Habitat
Grassy fringes of streams, forest clearings and abandoned gardens with secondary growth, in lowland New Guinea up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft) altitude.
Food
Seeds, berries and insects.
Breeding
Globular grass nest with side entrance, often suspended from rattans, in forest or at forest edge.
Conservation
As a species with a large range and no evidence of population decline, it is assessed as being of Least Concern.
References
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Lonchura tristissima". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
- Beehler, Bruce M.; & Finch, Brian W. (1985). Species Checklist of the Birds of New Guinea. RAOU Monograph No.1. Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union: Melbourne. ISBN 0-9599823-2-9
- Beehler, Bruce M.; Pratt, Thane K.; & Zimmerman, Dale A. (1986). Birds of New Guinea. Wau Ecology Handbook No.9. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-02394-8
- BirdLife International (2006) Species factsheet: Lonchura tristissima. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 3 Feb 2007
- Coates, Brian J. (1990). The Birds of Papua New Guinea. Vol.II: Passerines. Dove Publications: Alderly, Queensland. ISBN 0-9590257-1-5