Indian Silverbill

Taxobox
name = Indian Silverbill
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1

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image_width = 200px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Passeriformes
familia = Estrildidae
genus = " Lonchura "
species = "L. malabarica"
binomial = "Lonchura malabarica"
binomial_authority = Linnaeus, 1758

The Indian Silverbill "Lonchura malabarica" also known as White-throated Munia is a small passerine bird formerly considered conspecific with the closely related African Silverbill, "Lonchura cantans". This estrildid finch is a common resident breeding bird in most of Middle East and South Asia:Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Islamic Republic of Iran, Israel, Jordan (introduced), Kuwait (introduced), Oman, Puerto Rico (introduced), Qatar (introduced), Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, USA (introduced) and Virgin Islands (possibly extinct).

Characteristics

The Indian Silverbill is a tiny gregarious bird which feeds mainly on seeds. It frequents dry open country and cultivation, especially near water. The nest is a large domed grass structure in a tree, into which 4–10 white eggs are laid.

The Indian Silverbill is 11–11.5 cm in length with a long black tail. The adult has a stubby silver-grey bill, buff-brown upperparts, white underparts and rump and dark wings. The sexes are similar, but immatures have buff underparts and a shorter tail.

References

* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
* "Birds of India" by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp, ISBN 0-691-04910-6

Galleria