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GALLERIES > BIRDS > PASSERIFORMES > ESTRILDIDAE > INDIAN SILVERBILL [Lonchura malabarica]

Indian Silverbill Picture
 
 

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SPECIES INFO

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 at Hodal in Faridabad District of Haryana, India.

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.





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