Streak-headed Mannikin

Taxobox
name = Streak-headed Mannikin
status = LC
status_system = IUCN3.1


regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Passeriformes
familia = Estrildidae
genus = " Lonchura "
species = "L. tristissima"
binomial = "Lonchura tristissima"
binomial_authority = (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 in length) estrildid finch.

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 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

* 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