The scaly-breasted munia or spotted munia (Lonchura punctulata), known in the pet trade as nutmeg mannikin or spice finch, is a finch native to tropical Asia. Its name is based on the distinct scale-like feather markings on the breast and belly.
Immature birds have pale brown upperparts, lack the dark head found in adults, and have uniform buff underparts that can be confused with juveniles of other munia species.
They forage in flocks, sometimes more than 100 and communicate with soft calls and whistles and are highly social. This munia eats mainly grass seeds apart from berries and small insects.
The ease of maintaining these birds in captivity has made them popular for studying behaviour and physiology.
Shot in Coorg, Feb 2026, © Dr.Bishan Monnappa
